Rules for Menu Weekly Planning

The other day my sister asked how I menu planned. I always have a plan and don't stress the nightly question...what's for dinner?

I try and menu plan a week in advance but have recently challenged myself to do 2 weeks at a time.  I have a hard time shopping for two weeks, I always end up going back to the store for something I forgot, today I forgot the frozen spinach. It was on my list and everything. I have considered planning the menu then shopping for the first week one day and the next week another day but I really want to just go to the store once for the two weeks. I am working on it.

I believe its important to keep dinner simple but yummy not just for your self but to get the kids to eat. I have a couple rules I try and follow to keep my cost down and to make it easier for me and everyone involved. It doesn't matter if it's for 1 week or 2 these rules work for us.

I didn't just wake up one day and immediately had a plan that worked for my family. I had to experiment and and tried different things until I found what works for us best. These rules may not work for your family but hopefully it will give you a place to start when developing your own plan.

The Rules

1. Once a week we have a vegetarian meal - The Fiancee (formerly The BF) is not always a fan of this night but is a good sport and eats whatever I prepare.
2. At least one crockpot night - sometimes we have three or 4 of them but I love my crockpots.
3. One new recipe - sometimes no one likes the new recipe but we tried it.
4. Tuesday's are the night the "pseudo" step-son cooks so that is kid friendly easy dinner night 
5. One family favorite - yummy dinner night; taco soup, hamburger soup, spaghetti, tomato soup, taco 
6. One pot meal - I like to do this a couple nights a week.

So those are the rules I use to decide whats for dinner but where do I get the recipes. Like a lot of people I get them from my pinterst board but before I start looking for recipes I go through the pantry and freezer to see what I have on hand. I try to stock up on sale items we use a lot and I never buy meat unless its on sale.

After I figure out what I have I then find recipes from pinterst, cookbooks, websites or the ones I just know because I have been cooking them for 15 years.

The Menu

• Monday: Corn Chowder (rule 1)
• Tuesday: Pineapple Chicken and Rice, Vegetables (rule 4)
• Wednesday: Creamy Ranch Pork Chops, Potatoes, Carrots (rule 5)
• Thursday: Hamburger Stew (rule 2)
• Friday: Turkey Stir Fry and Rice (rule 3)
• Saturday: Tacos, Chips (rule 2)
• Sunday: Turkey Noodle Soup (rule 6)
• Monday: Meatball Sliders, Vegetables (rule 3)
• Tuesday: Pigs in a Blanket, Mac n' Cheese, Beans (rule 4)
  
• Wednesday: Enchiladas, Rice, Vegetables (rule 5)
• Thursday: Italian "Wonderpot" (rule 1)
• Friday: Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese (rule 2)
• Saturday: Quesdillas (rule 6)
• Sunday: Sub Sandwiches (we are actually eating out this night)

That is what we are having for dinner for the next two weeks. 

Bonus Tip: Be flexible if you are having one of those days were you want to run screaming into the night...pick up pizza on your way home. You can always have that nights dinner the following week.

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

Before I say hello to the new year I thought it would be fun to review some of the most memorable memories of 2013.

According to Facebook:

1. Going to see Les Miserables with friends: it was for The Ex-Wive/Friend's b-day, she cried like a baby.
2. Making the following family rule that we don't always follow but we try: I made a new family rule, from the time I get home from work until after dinner no tv no computer and no cell phones. Everyone seemed to handle it well except me....I was freaking out that I couldn't check my phone.
3. Celebrating my puppies 10th birthday. 
4. This status: Tonight I had strawberry shortcake for dinner....it was my mothers day gift to myself
5. Admitting I graduate high school 20 years ago.
6. The loss of a dear friend.
7. My 38th birthday and the 38 cupcakes my sister made me. 
   
8. Candy making with the family.
9. My Engagement. 

And the most popular post from 2013:

1. I Am a Lazy Cook Part 2...Or More Freezer Meals.
2. Casserole Freezer Meals ...The Not So Lazy Freezer Meals
3. He Put a Ring On It
4. Stocking, Garters and Corsets...Oh My
5. Christmas Bookmarkers

My favorite moment was The Fiancee's (then The BF's) surprise proposal. Can I say I am still in shock about it.

Okay on to 2014.

I don't like resolutions but I love setting goals and I only have one big one for the new year. I want to learn to sew...yup I am shocking everyone by becoming more and more domestic.I just want to make a nice simple quilt for The BF The Fiancee and I.  Do you think I can do that in 365 days?

What are your favorite memories form 2013?

What are your 2014 goals?

He Put A Ring On It - My Engagement Story

If you follow me on Facebook than you know that The BF completely surprised me by proposing over the weekend and I said yes (like I was going to say anything else). Since I share all my other stories with you: how we met, our weird conversations, our "disagreements', the time line of our courtship...I guess I should share our engagement story also.

When I say completely surprise me, I am not kidding. I had no idea it was coming...that doesn't mean I haven't dropped hints or told him this is how you should do it and this is the ring I want. You know the normal stuff but I didn't think it would be this weekend or this year or even this decade.

Its not easy to surprise me, mostly because I am a great big control freak and I plan out a lot of our lives. I even tell him what to get me as gifts for my birthday and Christmas. He has learned to stick to the list. Its never good to deviate from the list or what I have planned.

To be honest I hate surprises...I hate them so much I once planned my own surprise party. I am not kidding. So you can see what a feat it is to catch me unaware but that is exactly what The BF did yesterday morning.

The day started innocent enough...we had a lot of things happening. The BF had to work early, then a family party at my mom's and then later a family party at The BF's family. Lots to do and we were on a schedule (did I mention I like planning everything).

After The BF returned from work he jumped in the shower and I was putting my makeup on while sitting on our bed watching a rerun of The Pioneer Women's cooking show on Food Network (I love her show, blog and books). Just as The Pioneer Women starts sharing her wisdom on keeping the romance alive in your relationship, The BF walks over to me partially dressed and starts kissing me and telling me that he loves me.

I thought he was being silly after all romance was the topic on TV. I kissed him back asserted my return affection but told him we need to get moving. When out of the blue he drops down on one knee next to the bed.

Then he opens his hand, he was holding a ring, places his hand on the bed and asks me to marry him.

I was stunned, shocked and in disbelieve.  I asked are serious and he smiled and said yes. I asked like really serious, change your Facebook status tell everyone serious. He said yes...and so I said yes. Like I said I was shocked and completely caught off guard. Luckily I had just painted my nails....even if I had painted them black.


He says he has been thinking about how to ask me for month and just decided to do it....he does keep me on my toes.

And that is how I got engaged while watching The Pioneer Women, with no makeup on and The BF was not fully dressed...I guess I need to start calling him The Fiancee from this day forward...until The day I get to call him The Husband anyway.

Now I need to answer the question, do I want to be a Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter bride?

Dry Shampoo, Yeah or Na?

Recently I got a fancy new hair color and while it looks amazing it has a lot pf red in it and that is not a color I can maintain. As in it fades quickly....with each wash there is a little less. I only wash my hair every other day but I am wondering it I can push it to three or four days to help maintain my color.

So I am considering dry shampoo. Does it really work? More importantly do the DIY dry shampoos work?It don't have a problem spending a lot of money on hair products but if I can make and home and save my money for books, shoes or more books.

They seem pretty simple to make. A little cornstarch, baking soda and essential oil and you have dry shampoo. Now the question is should I try it. Do I dare try it?

Do I risk oily icky hair on the chance that it works?

Please let me know that you think of dry shampoo and the DIY versions?

Do You Lie About Your Bra Size?

Recently I wondered about people who keep secrets their entire life...its seems so hard. How do they do that?

This naturally lead to me wondering do I have any secrets left to tell.

I joke about being an open book, ask and I will tell you most anything. Add in a personal blog that I use like my diary and therapist, there is not much left to tell.

I have spent days and days trying to think of a secret...and I can't think of a single secret.  Well not one worth writing an entire blog post about. I did think of several little ones..

1. I smoked cigarettes for 6 weeks in college.
2. That wasn't the only thing I smoked in college...I really liked cigars.
3. Once I cheated on a boyfriend, not the current one.
4. Sometimes I fake being ill because I don't want to do something.
5. I lie about my bra size.

Okay that last one might just merit a blog post.

Yes I lie about my bra size.

Do you find this shocking? I would wager a bet that more women lie than do not lie (have you seen the all the padding in the bra section of any store).

I don't lie about them being bigger I lie and say they are smaller. Mostly just one cup size smaller, occasional two cups smaller. The idea of admitting my actual cup size freaks me out, it causes me to have panic attacks. I won't even admit it to myself  out loud so how can I admit it to the store clerk, my mother, my boyfriend. 

I have been lying about them for as long as I can remember. Its embarrassing to have the unenhanced bra size that I do...its not natural. 

So here I am admitting to everyone that my cup size is...I can't do it. I really can't. Even now I want to be honest but I refuse to admit it. I am in such strong denial that I won't buy the correct bra sizes if I am shopping with someone....Do you have any idea how many time I have had to return a bra? Its truly ridiculous. Who does that? 

I am not going to tell you but I wonder if they have a bra size lying anonymous like alcoholics anonymous.

Can you imagine those 12 steps? The first step would be admitting you have no power over your bra size. In the meetings you would say Hi, My name is Michael and I am a... We could hold meetings at Lane Bryant and have protests at Victoria Secrets for not having supportive bras in larger sizes for all natural girls.

Now that you know my deep dark secret...what is yours?

Dream Believe Imagine

My 11 year old niece had a school assignment last week that got me thinking. Her assignment was to write a paper or do an art project with the theme Dream Believe Imagine.  She and I had a long talk about how this type of assignment is subjective and open to interpretation but I started thinking…what I would write about that theme.

We talked about what it means and it lead to a funny conversation between her and I but mostly I started thinking about what do I dream and believe and imagine. I started thinking about the things that are most important, causes I believe in, and what are my hopes for the future and my mind keep going back to the same topic…food insecurity in America.

I know it’s a bizarre topic to dream, believe, and imagine about but I did, let me help you get there.

I grew up with food insecurities, in fact I was about my niece’s age. My mom, who was a single working mom at the time, had just lost her job when I realized that we may not have enough food in our house.  From the time she got laid off for 4 months food was scarce in our house. We were lucky in that we didn't go to bed hungry like many but we ate a lot of Ramen Noodles and that cheap store brand macaroni and cheese that cost 5 cents a box. I was acutely aware that my mom would not eat at times to make sure us kids had enough food each night.

Even after she got a job I was aware that we were different from my friends because while we had more food in the house there were times when we didn't. Paydays were always exciting as mom would make up the grocery list and we would have good food in the house for the next two weeks or at least for part of the next two weeks. It’s not like we ate steak and lobster but we would have hamburger and chicken those were always good times.

Eventually before the next payday we would start to run out of food again and dinner would consist of gravy on toast. Which surprisingly was one of my favorite meals if mom made it from the bacon drippings and not tuna. (It just accord to me that this may be why I make kick ass gravy). Or the cheap cans of soup that never fill you up and don’t taste good.

It’s because of this that I am acutely aware at all times what food is in the fridge and cupboard. I always know what I have and don’t have. I, to this day, just open up the cupboards and take a mental stock of what is there. (I will admit when I was single and care free I often didn't have food in my home…I had every restaurant menu in a 10 mile radius memorized. And I knew every day where I was going to have breakfast, lunch and dinner and what I was going to order so I was still taking stock of all the food I had access to).

This brings me to my niece’s assignment….I dream of time when no one in America should be hungry or worry about their next meal. I believe that if everyone donated one meal a week (nothing fancy cans of chili and a box of cornbread mix will do) we could end food insecurity. I imagine a world where people are compassionate enough to donate year round.

When you are out shopping for your weekly and/or holiday grocery shopping please consider donating a few cans to your local food bank.  They do amazing things in communities and can use all the support they can receive. If you can’t donate food items consider donating a little of your time. Or organize a food drive at your church, place of business or in your community.

I think my niece drew a picture of Africa, she dreams of going on a safari...I like her dream too.

Why Do I Now Have Writers Block...Again?

Last month I participated in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and didn't miss a single post, thinking I sailed through that easy peasy nice and easy I am signing up for NaBloPoMo, the blogger version of NaNoWriMo.

I was all excited and now I cant write. I have nothing at all. I really hate when this happens. I have all these half ideas bouncing around in my head and I can't put my finger on any of them to do anything with it. I feel like my head is a bouncy house.

I often wonder what this feeling is like for other people. That feeling when things are just beyond your reach in your own mind. I find it exasperating and exciting at the same time.

Exasperating because...well that is obvious I can't express myself. I stumble over my words, not just the written word by the spoken word. When this happens I get very tongue tied. I start stumbling over everything I say. Which get annoying fast. I think it has something to do with the frantic pace my life will all the sudden take.


My mind won't be calm and then I start talking faster and faster (which is pretty amazing since I am a really fast talker to begin with). In a desperate need to express myself one way or another I start talking really fast hoping that something will come tumbling out that will be brilliant. It never works. I just end up rambling on about nothing important. Even at work I can not explain simple things.

The only thing that helps is taking a deep breath and focusing. I block out all the random bizarre things bouncing around in my head and focus. It never lasts for long but luckily its long enough to complete the things I need to do at work but not much else.

Usually this block will last a few days and then I am back to normal...or at least what I call normal.

My Eyes are Bigger than My Ambition

I have no idea what is wrong with me...I have serious issues. When I decide to do something I decide to go big. Crazy big. Out of this world big. Unnecessarily big....seriously who needs 47 cups of pumpkin puree?

I am clearly out of my mind.

It all started innocently enough. I wanted to make pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving, so I decided to make my own pumpkin puree. I figured one good sized pumpkin should be enough. I went out looking for discount pumpkins two days after Halloween. And boy did I luck out, I found pumpkins for free. So instead of getting one good sized pumpkins I got SIX. See I always go overboard.

So know I have 6 monster pumpkins and I decide to go ahead and make puree. I really didn't understand what I was getting myself into but heck I read a few blog posts on the subject and it didn't seem hard.

And it wasn't hard just very time consuming and messy. it is possible I made it messier than it really is but that is how I roll. And if I had stuck with my original plan, the 1 pumpkin, it probably wouldn't have been as time consuming.

Why do I feel this need to go big or go home. I am not even a big fan of pumpkin. I like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin muffins and pumpkin lattes...its possible I do like pumpkin and I just don't know it. I don't like pumpkin pie which begs the question why am I making it for Thanksgiving?

I am asking a lot of questions but the answer to that one is easy my grandma told me to make them for Thanksgiving...not his year but many years ago and I have done it almost every year since.  When I don't do it my cousin does...then she started having babies in November and hasn't made them since. I think she kept giving birth to get out of making pies for Thanksgiving but that is an issue she and I will have to work out one day. 

So now because of a whim I have more pumpkin puree than I know what to do with and I am in desperate need for recipes. Please share your favorite recipe!!!

I Have No Regrets...Do You?

Recently I started thinking about regrets, I know its not a happy go lucky topic but even I get get serious and deep from time to time. During this time of wondering "I asked do I have any regrets? What decisions did I make that I regret? Would I go back and change anything if the opportunity presented its self?

Not to brag but I couldn't really come up with anything I regret. I had a hard time come up with anything. I know I have said things I regret, I have a tendency to speak my mind (much more in my younger days). But I  try and apologize for the less than kind words I say, so I really don't regret saying them because I own up to my mistake and try to grow from my bad choice.

But decisions and actions...I don't regret. I know you are thinking what kind of sociopath looney tune are you? And that is a valid question, let me try and explain my lack of regret.

Its not that I haven't made bad choices and decision, at times I have made colossal mistakes. Mistakes that have often defined my life and changes the course I was walking. But I don't regret them because they have all led me to this exact moment were I am contemplating if I have regrets.

And in this moment I am happy and content with my life. I know I know could I get anymore cheesy, I hope not. Being this sappy is bad for my image. I am a fun, strange, loud mouthed, slightly (sometimes more than slightly) wacky girl and such a statement from me seems out of place. I will admit being this sentimental is not normal for me but I don't think of it as being sentimental I think its more pragmatic (there is a nickel word for you).

Does this change you opinion of me?

I hope it doesn't, I am the same girl I have always been. I am just not hanging on to the past in an unhealthy way, wait does that make me emotionally/mentally healthy.  Hold on I need to go tell everyone I know that I am healthier than they are...nah nah nah. On second thought, this is freaking me out a little, its possible I don't need as much therapy as I previously thought.

LOL...like I am going to go to therapy, I would just go buy a book about therapy and call it good.

 Not having regrets follows my philosophy that this is the best time of my life. I remember people telling me enjoy high school/college/being single its the best time of your life. That never made sense to me, how could that be the best moment there is so much more to see and experience. I have believed for many years now that the moment I am currently in is the best moment of my life. All the other moments build on each other to get me here and despite the heart brakes, the drama and any sadness, I am letting go of regret and guilt and moving forward.

Okay if I have to have one regret in my life it that I some how let my Health Nut Sister and Mom know that cleaning up vomit doesn't gross me. Its a weird regret I know but I am a weird girl in case you haven't figured that out yet.

This knowledge led to a very funny incident a few years back. My Health Nut Sister hurt her back and Mom was there helping to take care of her and her two daughters. At some point in the night I started to receive phone calls which I didn't answer/ignored. The Next morning after listening to several where are you voice mails. I arrive at my Health Nut Sister's house. I noticed a pile of bedding on the floor, my 4 year old niece was in the tub splashing and playing. When I asked what happened they told me between gagging that said 4 year old got sick in the night and throw up in a glass which my Health Nut Sister almost ended up drinking (remember the hurt back) This caused the Health Nut Sister to bet sick and then my Mom to be sick.

Even the retelling of this story caused the two of them to start gagging. Which I found hilarious because I am a cruel evil person at times. I did kindly clean up my niece, who was feeling much better, and wash all the linens I even cleaned up the vomit on the floor. I am not sure I regret them knowing this, I get to mock them about this and that is always fun for me.

Now that I have rambled on aimlessly making little sense my question is....Do you have regrets?

Say Yes to Adventure

Until recently I never really got the idea of a bucket list or those 40 before 40 lists. Why do you need a list if you wanted to do something just do it?

Great now I sound like an old Nike commercial.

Even though I get great joy in crossing things off whatever list I have going on that day I never understood the idea of a bucket list. If I wanted to go bungee cord jumping I did, if I wanted to go on a road trip for the weekend I did, if I wanted a new tattoo, I got a tattoo.

Then I got a "pseudo" family and my life changed. My priorities weren't all about me anymore now I had to come home and cook dinner and be all responsible. Plus who has time for adventure anymore between work, family and friends I am pretty busy. Then there are the books I want to read, crafts to start and new skills to learn.

And that is when I understood the bucket list. Its to remind you to have an adventure once in awhile while going through the everyday moments of life. So while you are cooking dinner you can be thinking how will I accomplish the next item on my list. Or remember the fun time you had on your last adventure.

Now what should I put on my list?

Sunday Not My Fun Day

Sunday is never a rest day around here. For some reason I don't get much done on Saturday, so Sunday is the day were all my weekend tasks get done.

Every weekend I try and get stuff done on Saturday but it never happens

Here is the list of things I want to get done today.

1. Drink coffee. (You have to put something on your list that is a sure to get completed)
2. Watch football. (just in case I get nothing done I can cross of two things)
3. Laundry. (This is started but takes all day..I hate doing laundry)
4. Cut up pineapple and freeze. (pineapple pancakes, pineapple chicken and pineapple pizza)
5. Puree tomatoes and freeze. (more spaghetti sauce (to make next weekend), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce)
6. Defrost turkey. (Its whats for dinner tomorrow night)
7. Cut up and freeze strawberries. (I have no plans I just found a really good deal)
8. Cook lunch. (I feel like PB&J)
9. Cook dinner. (More PB&J)
10. Finish 2 blog posts 
11. Start 2 more blog posts.
12. Take a nap. (pretty sure this will get done also)
13. Make body wash (this is half way done)

That seems like a huge list I wonder if I will get it all done.

What are you doing today?

And Me with a Shovel in My Hand and Not My Camera

Its common knowledge among my family and friends that all is fair in love and blogging. Which means that I will blogging about most anything that happens and if I took a picture expect it to appear on my blog eventually. I know that this is true for a lot of bloggers.

And like a lot of bloggers I am sure something has happened and when it was all over you thought I need to blog about this and then your next thought was I didn't get a single picture.

Well that happened to me this weekend, I didn't something that I never ever ever thought I would do and I didn't get one picture of it. To be honest I was busy and my hands were full but I was disappointed none the less.

I could tell you about it but you won't believe me...you are going to ask where is your proof. All I have is the testimony of The BF and the "pseudo" step-kids. And they can't be trusted. They would just repeat what I tell them to say. That cracks me up because they really wouldn't....they would intend to say what I want them to but the truth would come out.

Now you will never know what shocking and very country girl thing I did over the weekend. And believe me when I tell you, you would be shocked....seriously shocked.

I may be a small town girl but until recently I have had a definite big city attitude.

I really wish I had pictures. Oh well...maybe next time.

When I Am Old(er)

My Grandma Carol has this poem in her house all about when I am old and all the naughty things I will do...this poem got me thinking lately of all the things I would do when I am older. Then I wondered what other people would also do. I mean I cant be the only person in the world who fantasies about the days when you no longer have to be responsible...turns out I am not.

Here are some of the answers

• Take out a loan on a sports car then default and drive it around hiding it from the repo man.
• Move to a nudist colony.
• Wear a tiara and and pink tutu every day.
• Pinch the bums of young men.
• Drink a bottle of wine everyday.
• Start smoking cigarettes and maybe more interesting things.
• Say the "f" word a lot.
• Watch rated R movies full of sex scenes.
• Eat cake for breakfast every day.
• Have a three way with George Clooney and Ryan Reynolds.
• I will always be responsible, its who I am.

Okay not everyone has an adventurous spirit but some of the answers were shocking.

What are you going to do when you are old?

Warning
by Jenny Joseph

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Let's Dance

Do you know that saying/song/inspirational quote, "Dance Like No One is Watching"?

I hate that saying/song/inspirational quote.

It really bugs me....I don't know about you but I dance the same regardless if people are watching or not and I dance any where the mood strikes.

Not really any where. I don't dance in meetings (that is not true either I just danced last Wednesday during our office meeting) or when I am sitting in the court room but I do occasionally dance at the office. Not to long ago while grocery shopping with my mom, a song came on and I started doing a little dance. My mom started laughing and said, "I forgot how much fun you are to take grocery shopping."

I try and get my nieces and "pseudo" step-daughter to dance with me in public...I have found that once they reach a certain age they don't want to do it but when they are young they will be silly with me. A few nights ago while I was with my 5 year old niece she and I danced in the rain, we didn't even need music.

I find dancing relaxing and it helps when stress level are high. Not to mention when there is a lot of tension in a room a little shake rattle and roll helps everyone to laugh. I find that when you are with family tension and stress levels can some times be high.

Strangely enough I don't dance when I am by myself...its always when I am with people and often I am being silly. I am less stressed when I am by myself and so I don't feel the need to have that tension release. Its entirely possible that I would have made a great hermit.

Since being a hermit is not in the cards for me. I want to be one of those older ladies on youtube that some videoed dancing while waiting for the bus, in line at the grocery store and especially at family gatherings.

My wish for you is to forget about if someone is watching or not and just dance.

The inspiration for this post came from Story Dam. Please check out this wonderful site for writers by writers. 

My Eulogy

If I was to write my own eulogy it would probably go something like this...

A Girl Named Michael died tragically today in a freak accident, she was crushed by a bookshelf that she had overloaded with books.

Michael was born in a small Idaho town, for 18 months her life was perfect and then her parents brought home one of several siblings. She then spent the rest of her life bossing her siblings, parents, coworkers and random strangers around. She could often be heard saying, "I told you I was right."

For years she lived an unsettled slightly vagabond life never really satisfied with what was going on, until she moved back to her small town. She loved being close to her nieces and nephews so much she decided that living in the small town was acceptable.

She meet her life partner The BF through his ex-wife, she could often be heard giggling about having the best how we meet story in the world. She took great pains trying to be a good and off beat "pseudo" step-mom...she really succeeded in the off beat part, the good part is subjective.

She is survived by her beloved dog Tashi, cat Tigger and a bunch of family. Actually a lot of family, more family then one girl should have and it would take to long to mention them all. But she loved them almost as much as the dog and cat.

She leaves behind a closet full of unfinished projects, more scarves then one person should own and a legacy of klutziness.

Sometimes A Girl Just Needs To Eat Pizza. Yum.

I don't always write about pizza but when I do its usually funny. Well...the one other post I wrote about pizza was funny. This post is not funny, I am not having a good relationship with pizza.

Don't get me wrong I still LOVE pizza as much as the next girl but it seems we have been eating it A LOT at my house.

It may be criminal and some form of child abuse as often as we have had pizza for dinner. I don't know what happened to me, not that long ago I had a weekly menu full of healthy and good foods for my family and now we get greasy pizza once a week.

I don't mean to speak badly of pizza, like I said I LOVE pizza, but it can't be good that I am at this moment feeding it to my family A LOT.

I think I am feeling guilty. It has to be guilt otherwise why would I think the people at Papa Murphy's would be judging me. Seriously any day know I am going to walk in and they are going to shout "MICHAEL". just like they yelled Norm on Cheers.

I could blame it on being sick during the busiest time at work but that would only explain the last two weeks. I need to think of a different excuse for the three weeks before that...because even when I broke my wrist I cooked more than I have been.

Of course the "pseudo" step-kids are beyond happy that we are having pizza so often. This may have been the best month or so of their life. You should see there little faces when I walk in the pizza and bread sticks. They didn't even get upset when one of the dogs ate all the bread sticks one night...because we have it so often its no longer a treat.

I just need to....I don't know what I need to do.  I wonder what we should have for dinner tonight? Tacos?

You Say Good-bye and I say Hello

Good-bye flip flops. You have been amazing but the time has come to say good-bye.

Its not you its me.

It really is you but isn't that what you say in these situations.

You see my toes are getting cold and you cant keep them warm. Plus I hate wet feet and its been raining for days. I saw snow on the mountains, which means that any day now snow will be in the valley which equals cold and wet feet if I keep wearing you.

OOOHHHH flip flops you have been the workhorse of this years summer foot wear. Cute but not so cute as to over shadow my outfit. You were the shoes I wore when I was in a hurry or couldn't decide which other pair of sandal or flip flop to wear.

You helped me show off endless pedicures in every color of the rainbow this summer. I fear this will be our last summer together. You are getting worn and old. But you lasted three years, you were the best cheap shoe investment I ever made. To be honest you were the best cheap shoe investment my "Health Nut Sister" ever made but who knew when I borrowed you 3 years ago that our relationship would last so long.

I bet she doesn't even remember you but I will remember you always.

I will truly miss you flip fl......oh wait what is this hiding in the back of the closet?

Hello boots...I have missed you.

Happy Birthday...Its All Downhill From Here!

Today is my Birthday.

It is the one day every year when your friends and family say, "Hey I am glad you lived another year!!!"

This is a big birthday for me I am turning 38. I know its not that big of a birthday and I am not all freaked out by turning 38. I have been telling everyone I am turning 38.

The reason its a big deal is this is the year that my Grandma is officially double my age. That's right when she was my age she was expecting to be a grandma for the first time. She also had a 9 year old son, (Hi Uncle Craig).

I think its appropriate that on this birthday I tell you about my awesome Grandma.

Yup that is baby me.

The first thing you should know is I look a lot like her. In fact change the hair and that could almost be a picture of me taken today (this answers the question of where did I get that chin).

I also think I am a lot like her. We have similar tastes in decor. I am not sure where I get my love of books from but I think its genetic and I got it and my chin from her. We even have the same favorite color...purple.

We also think a lot a like despite our 38 age difference. I am not sure if she is very modern or I am a bit old fashioned...I think she is progressive. We even like the same kind of wine and soda...but not the same kind of beer. A girl has to assert her independence some times.

We really have some many similarities I could not possibly list them all.

I love you Grandma I can not wat to see you today.

A Big Fat F for Fat and a Slouchy L for Lazy

I haven't really talked much about my weight loss/get healthy journey recently and that is because I have not been doing so well. I have been indulging in some very bad habits.

I have been having a hard time and instead of clinging to my new habits I slipped back into those old comfortable easy ones...you know the ones that involve little movement and lots of sugary drinks. The habits that caused me to gain back some of the weight I lost.

I can look at this one of two ways: 1. I can indulge in the negative/defeatist self talk or 2. Embrace it as a learning moment and learn from it.

The first way is how I always looked at it in the past, always telling myself how bad I am at self discipline/self control. But this time around I am going to get back on the treadmill and stop drinking beverages that are full of sugar.

Of course this means I have to start everything all over again. the good news is I didn't gain all the weight back so I am not starting from scratch but I have to start working on my new healthy habits again.

This weeks goal

• Good Habit: Increase my water intake -I like water (not as much as soda obviously) and I am on a spending diet (more on this later) so no more soda when I can get water for free
• Bad Habit: No snacking - I am hoping this will be easy especially since I am on a spending diet and will not be buying snack foods.

Wish me luck!

What are your healthy life style goals for the week?

Abandon...What Does it Mean to You?

a·ban·don

tr.v. a·ban·doned, a·ban·don·ing, a·ban·dons

1. To withdraw one's support or help from, especially in spite of duty, allegiance, or responsibility; desert.

2. To give up by leaving or ceasing to operate or inhabit, especially as a result of danger or other impending threat.

3. To surrender one's claim to, right to, or interest in; give up entirely.

4. To cease trying to continue; desist from.

5. To yield (oneself) completely, as to emotion.

n.

1. Unbounded enthusiasm; exuberance.

2. A complete surrender of inhibitions.

The word Abandon really fits my mood lately especially the to surrender one's claim to, right to, or interest in; give up entirely part of the word.

I am in the funk of all funks and while I still laugh and get out of bed every day I have a blah attitude about things. I am withdrawn and moody, is this some odd parallel university where instead of maturing I start acting like a teenager. If that is what is going on then I better start seeing a reversal of some of these fine lines around my eyes.

I think part of the problem is my mind is so cluttered right now that I can't focus on anything and just decided to throw my hands in the air giving up on everything. Is that a normal reaction to do much stuff going on in my mind?  I feel like I can't organize it all my ideas and they are just hanging around taunting me.

Its not just writing ideas, its craft ideas, and work projects and family events. Everything is a mess and I would love to walk away from it all. I can't even focus on one book to finish it. In the last week I have started 6 different books and despite them all being good I have given up on them all.

I really need to figure this all out and soon because I would much rather be living life with unbounded enthusiasm; exuberance instead of cease trying to continue; desist from life.


This inspiration for this post came from Story Dam. Please check out this wonderful site for writers by writers.