Tommy and I discovered a new early reader series that he really enjoys.  It is an old series originally published in 1972 or so.   But it is new to us and we enjoyed reading our first book tonight.   The series is Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat.  I just reserved 5 more books in the series from the library for next week.  They are a quick little read.  We can read the entire book at bedtime and Tommy is able to read so of the pages!  

Check it out.....Do you have any other favorite children series???   We are always so excited to check out new series.  We just love the Magic Treehouse Series and have read about 15 of those already. 

Menu for the Weeks of
2/2/08 - 2/16/08

This week we will be having alot of crockpot recipes.  I work so many hours that by the time I get home I am too tired to cook.  At least that is how this last week worked.  I had worked 40 hours by Thursday already and ended up working another 7 hours on Friday.  So if I can throw supper in the crock pot in the morning I will have less to do when I get home. 

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SAT - BBQ Ribs - Oven Potato Wedges - Corn - Cole Slaw (Crock 8 -10 hrs) - Apple Turnovers

SUN -  Baked Ranch Chicken - (Bake 325 - 45 min) (CARRY OVER FROM LAST WEEK)

MON - Panera Brocolli Cheese Soup and Bread Sticks - Soup is VERY GOOD!!!

TUES - Working Late - Scalloped Potatoes with Ham  - (Bake 350 - 1.5 hours)

WED - Slow Cooker Night: Chicken Delicious (Low 5 Hours)

THURS - Working Late - Slow cooker ravioli  (Bake Instead 350 - 45 mins??)

FRIDAY - Sloppy Joes & Fries  (Crock 6 - 8 hours)

SATURDAY - Slow Cooked Beef Stew (Crock Low 6-8 Hours)

SUN - Easiest Crockpot Chicken and Biscuits (Crock Low 4-6 hours)

MON - Working Late - Slow Cooker: Sticky Chicken **Refridgerate Over Night** (Crock Low 6-8 Hrs)

TUES - Fettucine Alfredo - Bread Sticks

WED - Slow Cooker Night: Italian Veggie & Pasta Soup & Bread Sticks (Crock 7-8 Hours)

THURS - Working Late - V-Day - Slow Cooked Pork Chops - Rice & Roni - Heart Shaped Brownies (Crock Low 6-8 Hours)

FRI - Order Pizza - Silent Auction Fundraiser

SAT - Christina’s Salsa Chicken (Stove Top) & Vegetable

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RECIPES TO TRY NEXT WEEK:

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops  & Noodles Romanoff

Slow Cooker Night: “Beef” Stroganoff

Great Site for inexpensive Recipes.....MomAdvice

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For more menu plan Monday fun, head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie!  Save time and money.   You will not believe now easier life is with a bit of planning.  Give it a try, You won't be sorry!

Things are happening!  I spoke with my friend that is helping find us staff.  She did place an ad in the paper and has gotten alot of calls.  She found a great person to work with Erik who was a teacher at the school, but she can't be here at 2:30 as she isn't done until 3:00 at the school.  Oh well...maybe in the summer!   My friend has two interviews with possible staff on Friday before she meets with us.   Wish us luck!

I just placed an ad in the local paper and it will run next week.   It is looking good and we should have staff in place by the end of the month.  YEAH!!   What a huge relief of stress for us.   Thank you ...thank you.....

Last Night.....

I didn't do much last night.  I really just laid on the couch most of the night.  I watched TV and drifted in and out of sleep.  If you know me that is rare.  I hardly watch TV unless I am sick.  Though I will admit I tape the early episodes of American Idol.   I think the auditions are funny.    I started taking some antibiotics so hopefully I will be better soon. 

I didn't have church so I stayed home to rest.  Erik went to Ash Wednesday service though.  Tommy has chapel as part of his school day so he attended his Ash Wednesday service at school.  

Today....

As much as I hated to do it, I had to reschedule my morning meeting for this morning.  I am just not feeling very well, but I will go in a bit later and make it to my 2:00 and 6:00 meeting tonight.  .

Tomorrow .......

 I have another early meeting tomorrow with the assistance of an interpreter to complete some forms with a family.  I am also volunteering at the school so I will be home early to do that.  Tommy's school requires you do at least 20 hours of volunteer work a year.  So I am helping with the scrips program a couple of times a month and I help with any events that requires cooking, etc.   I am working at the pancake breakfast later this month.   I think I will make my 20 hours easily enough.

Friday, a collegue of mine is coming over as we hired her to recruit, hire and monitor staff for us to assist in supervising Erik while we are at work and during the summer.  I was hoping that wouldn't be necessary, but it is becoming clear that he is doing the same behaviors as before.   It is pretty disappointing, but you just do what you have to take care of everything.     I wish I could get my hubby to look at it one day at a time and not be so overwhelmd of the long term reality of taking care of Erik.  I have to be in today and make it through this week! 

I am home waiting for Erik's bus to arrive.   I have put supper in the crockpot so I am going to curl up on the couch for the afternoon.   Erik isn't able to go to the neighbors today so I am wondering how our afternoon will go.  He was pretty mouthy with his Dad last night so he lost that reward for today.   Hopefully all will go well as I just feel rotten.  I am off to find some dayquil and curl up on the couch with a glass of OJ and my book.   I am glad I only worked a partial day today.  

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Supper Tonight: Slow Cooker Night: Chicken Delicious (Low 5 Hours)

Chores to Do:   2 Loads of Laundry and Dishes - Complete Paperwork for Summer Daycare for Tommy and Erik paperwork for the county. 

Evening Activities - I don't have church, but I think Erik does.   I plan on watching American Idol!  I have it recorded from last night. 

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Erik's home....gotta go.

YESTERDAY....

I was home by supper time from work.  I took a client to a psychiatrist appointment.  I really really like this Dr.  He spent time with the client directly and his interactions were great!   I will take the client again in a few months and we will see how it goes.  I would like a psychiatrist like this for my stepson, Erik.  Our Dr we have now hardly spends anytime with Erik and considering the recommendations she makes that is concerning.  It is something that my hubby has mentioned repeatedly, but I have never found a psychiatrist that spend more time with his patients directly until now. 

Once I got home I took a little nap as this cold is still really giving me a run for my money.   I had put together supper in the fridge and hubby had it in the oven when I got home already.  YUMMY!!  We had Scalloped Potatoes and Ham for supper.  

After supper we took both Erik and Tommy with us to vote at the Caucus.  I could not believe the turn out at the Caucus!   We could not find a place to park and could barely fit into the room for our ward. 

TODAY

I have an early morning meeting and hopefully I have an interpreter that meets me there.  Otherwise it will be very short meeting.  After that I will head to the office for a bit.  I need to be home today to get Erik off the bus so it is a short day for me.

I have alot of crockpot meal on the menu this week and it is working well.  If I can have food done when I get home it really make the evening easier so I can get the other things done I need to do. 

Well I am off to shower and get to work!  

I really enjoyed this book.  It was hard to track at first due to the mental illness of one character and the other having Alzheimer's.  But it is a very good book that kept me glued to the book at the end.  I read this book in two sittings. 

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell - (4.5/5)

Now I have to go look at my book case and see what I will read next.   Hmmmmm...so many choices!!

I forgot to mention...the soup last night was so very good!!  All the kids really liked it!  It was pretty easy to make as well.  I served it with French Baguette.  The recipe didn't make much, but the soup was very filling.  One bowl was enough for everyone. 

Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup

I ended up staying home yesterday.  Hubby and I are both battling colds.   I napped some and did a bit of picking up around the house.  That was it!!  Oh and of course read a bit.  I am feeling a bit better this morning so I hope to work the rest of the week.  I only woke up once during the night to blow my nose, take some more sudafed and get a drink of water.  That is a big difference.  Sleep is always good.  

Well I better run and get supper started for tonight and get ready for work.  Have a great day!! 

I am back again to ask for your prayers again.  My little great nephew was rushed back to the hospital after being home for 3 days.  He went back to the hospital via ambulance and has had two seizures.  I talked briefly to my sister and she is very upset.  She went to see the baby and said it doesn't look good.  He has very serious infection that I didn't quite understand all of that.  Please pray for this little guy.............................

HARLEY JAMES