Meal Planning Mondays

Last week was a bit of an off week what with Thanksgiving and all. I didn't make half of what I wanted to do but we still only ate out (well, in-ordered pizza) once so that's good. Hopefully I can stick to this week's schedule. Decided to go back to the "classics" that I know my family loves instead of trying to experiment and getting weird faces from my husband.



Monday- "Nacho Bake" (ground turkey, nacho cheese, noodle and bell pepper casserole)
Tuesday- Jambalaya with kielbasa sausage
Wednesday- Taco Night with the fam
Thursday- Philly cheese steaks with onions and peppers
Friday- Parmesan-Ranch chicken with rice and veggies
Saturday- Bacon cheeseburgers and fries
Sunday- Creamy chicken crescent rolls

I wanna go to a party....

What happened to all the Christmas parties out there? Seems like I haven't seen a whole lot of parties in the last few years. Am wondering if people have stopped wanting to celebrate or if this too is a victim of the recession. I remember when I was little that my parents would get dressed up and go to like 3-4 parties in a Christmas season. We have no parties planned this year. Granted the hubby works in a place where they do potlucks, not parties and I don't work outside the home so that rules out the office party.
Seems to be in this day and age people are less prone to celebrate but come on. maybe we should take a lesson for our fore fathers and get dolled up and play with some fondue.

perhaps I just want to be a 50s housewife. But that's another post altogether. so I guess what i'm saying is come on people, have a party and make sure to invite me :)

secret mommyhood confession saturday

here's this weeks edition.

I'm not sure why I am feeling so blue today. this week has been a lot of fun but starting yesterday evening or so it seems as though a dark cloud as settled around me. I don't often talk about the sad, depressing stuff on my site. try to keep it light and happy but today I don't have it in me to write a puff piece. Maybe its because Monkeyface has been sick and has transferred that lovely bug to me. Maybe its the excess hormones floating around in my body. Maybe its just the way it is right now.

I confess that I often hold everything in. I don't like to burden others so I end up burying myself. Either by taking on too much or by not expressing myself. When I get into a funk I often try to cover it up or hid it from the ones I love. Why bring anyone else into this? So I shoulder yet another burden and I go on. That's what I do.

I realize now that I feel some what better after letting that out. so thanks for listening. tomorrow will be better :)

Meal Planning Mondays

Well, last week we kind of slipped off the wagon and we ate out. oh well, I think once in a 2 week period is pretty good. that plus I mixed up our days and kept changing around what we had. Pregnant woman prerogative. So lets see what this week has in store for us. Have a feeling as the holidays get closer things may be a little more difficult to stay on track. anywho.... its the thought that counts :)

Monday- Beef Stroganoff with Salad and bread
Tuesday- Fish, Shrimp and Chips. carried over from last week.
Wednesday- Taco night with Family
Thursday- Happy Thanksgiving :)
Friday- Turkey enchiladas with white sauce.  didn't do last week so planning on doing again. slightly modified for leftovers
Saturday- Pasta Gratin with Pesto and Veggies.
Sunday- Crock Pot Potato Chowder

secret mommyhood confession saturday

It's Saturday and time for my latest confession.....



I was thinking of something to share and decided to share another piece of my dorkiness with the internet world.

I love Harry Potter.

I figured this week is the best week for it since it's the beginning of the end :(
This past Thursday/Friday marked the release date for the first part of the last movie. While I will admit that I enjoyed the books more than the majority of the movies, I have seen all of the movies in the theater. Most of them at the midnight showing the Thursday before. Something about the magical world is very intriguing and I love all the characters.
This year I decided that I might be a little too old to go to the midnight showing so I am going this afternoon with my sister, bro in law, brother, sis in law, mom and my sis's mom in law. It's a big party and I'm super duper excited!!!

Meal Planning Mondays

This may actually be working!! We didn't eat out once for dinner this last week. even on our scheduled eat out day, i cooked!! woo hoo!!! saving money is good. :)


Monday- Steak with mashed potatoes and salad
Tuesday- Fiesta Chicken with black beans, corn and rice
Wednesday- Fish and Chips
Thursday- Humble Shepherd Pie
Friday- eat out
Saturday- Bacon Wrapped Chicken with broccoli and pasta shells
Sunday- Chicken Enchiladas with white sauce

secret mommyhood confession saturday

So a few of the blogs I follow are doing a secret mommy-hood confession thing on Saturday and I thought it would be fun to play along. See their confessions here...  http://www.makemommygosomethingsomething.com/   and   http://notsuperjustmom.blogspot.com/

They are some pretty funny ladies.... but anyway.. back to me :)


Today I would like to confess that I love a good sappy/cheesy romance novel. I know that I shouldn't, that there are so many better choices out there. And I will say that I do read other things like non-fiction and what not (you know- the non sleazy books) as well, but there's something about a good love story that makes me smile.
Yes, some do include S. E. X. but sometimes they are "classy" love stories. (If there is such a thing...). I think deep down I just like to know that love can conquer all. Good vs. Evil. All that happy feel good stuff. I know I should be ashamed but you know what, I'm not. LOL.
There are thousands of you out there that make this a billion dollar industry so I know I'm not alone. Especially since I don't actually buy these books. That's what the library is for. And my girlfriends/mom/sis in law. :)
So there it is... *deep breath of relief*  I am a romance novel reader.

Is there anything you'd like to confess???!?!?

Pregnancy Brain

There actually is a "thing" called pregnancy brain, I swear, I didn't make it up. Apparently as you gestate your brain swells and you end up retarded. Ok maybe retarded is a little harsh, but really it does suck.
You can't remember anything, there are times when I'll be in the middle of doing something and I TOTALLY FORGET WHAT I'M DOING!!!!!!How is that even possible?!? Seriously though, the other day I was making some coffee (decaf, I promise) and I forget to put the damn coffee grounds in the machine. Yup, I made super hot water. The hubs will mention something or ask me to do/get something when I'm out on my travels for the day and when I get home? nope, nada, nothing. Poor guy is starting to thinking I just don't love him.

Not only does pregnancy brain make you stupid, it also makes you want things you normally don't. I can't tell you the amount of pickles I've eaten in the last month. (working on my 3rd jar now) and while I love a good pickle every now and again, I find my self daydreaming about these damn things. But so far I haven't found anything that I find totally disgusting, lucky? maybe, I'll let my final weight gain be the judge.

It could just be that time has faded since the first pregnancy so its possible I don't remember wanting pickles for breakfast or being this dumb so soon. I am just hoping that these will be the "worst" of it and I don't grow another head or something. Only 25 weeks to go.....

Meal Planning Mondays

So here's this weeks food :)

Monday- Crab Cakes with rice and steamed veggies
Tuesday- Steak Fajitas
Wednesday- taco night with family
Thursday- Buffalo Chicken salad
Friday- dine out
Saturday- Pulled Pork Sammies with fries
Sunday- Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole

28 Things

I can't believe that I am 28 today. It seems like such a big number. How did I get to this age already. 10 years ago I was a senior in high school. 10 years!!!! How can that be? To me it seems like it was just a few years ago, like I just turned 21. I still feel like I should be 24-25 not 28. Woo-zers! It seems like I should have it together more by this age but I am incredibly lucky and grateful for everything in my life.  Past, Present and Future. So to point out a few things that I am especially grateful for today. (Idea stolen borrowed from my SIL). let me just say that it's pretty difficult to come up with 28 things you love/are grateful for; some are silly, some are serious but all are mine :) so without further ado,  here it is, my 28 things.




1. Jeff- Even though he drives me nuts sometimes I couldn't imagine my life without him. He helps center me in the craziness that is our lives. He makes me laugh, he knows how to piss me off, he loves me.

2. My crazy, lovable, silly, strong willed, amazing, generous, stubborn son. You changed my life in so many ways. I love watching you grow and develop and become your own person. You have such an amazing personality. I can't wait to see what a great young man you'll become.

3. The baby that is growing inside of me. I love you already and we've never met. I have such big hopes and dreams for you. I hope that you will love us as we love you.

4. My Mom and Dad. They have guided my way into this world from the beginning. With love and kindness and discipline they have taught me all I need to know on how to be a decent kind human being. They have watched me fail, watched me when I did bad things and they have loved me anyway.

5. The rest of amazing family. I love every single one of you in all of your craziness :)

6. All the friends who are always willing to brighten my day with a laugh or to listen to me vent. Some days I'm not sure I would make it without you all

7. Being at Stay at home mommy. I have gotten to see all of my son's major milestones. From His first word, to his first step, to starting to potty train. I feel so lucky to get to cuddle with him in the mornings and watch him play in the afternoons. It's been the best time in my life and the hardest. hehehe


8. I am very grateful that my husband is willing to work so hard so that I am able to stay at home. If he didn't then I would have missed out on all of the above I'm sure. I love that he is willing to do whatever it takes to take care of his family. With very little complaining :)

9. Tivo/DVR. I know this one is silly but really, who doesn't love Tivo?!?! Only those that have never used it. Once you try it you never go back. I love the freedom it gives you to be able to watch every episode of your favorite show without having to stay home every night. I love that you can pause when your son comes up to you in the middle of your show. That you can rewind when you realize you didn't pause and missed something while talking to your son :)

10. The internet. I love being able to connect with old friends and family members that I would otherwise not talk to as often. I love Facebook with its ability to see into the everyday lives of my friends and family.

11. Blogs. It's true. I've become addicted to blogging. It's an amazing tool to express your feelings or frustrations. Not only that be their is a community of other mommies out there that are going through the same things, feeling the same feelings. When you spend most of your time with a 2 1/2 year old its nice to be able to log onto one of your favorite blogs and connect with someone.

12. Fall in Idaho. I love it in Idaho. It's so beautiful here. You can drive an hour out of Boise and see some of the most beautiful country there is. There's camping and fishing and hiking. Fall is especially wonderful as all the trees in the city turn such beautiful colors.

13. I am grateful that my family is so close. That we are able to see each other at least once a week. It makes me happy to hang out with them and to know if I need them they are only minutes away.

14. Coffee. Although I am only able to drink decaf at the moment, it still is one o the greatest drinks around. I love the smell, the taste and the way you can add different flavors and have a totally different drink.

15. I love that I live in a country as great as America. With all it's flaws it's still an amazing place. We have so much to be thankful for as a whole even though we sometime over look everything that we have. I love that I don't have to worry that the government might break into my house and kidnap my husband. I love the security and safety that people work so hard at protecting. From the Soldiers to the Senators. At the core they work to protect this way of life.

16. Traveling could be one of my favorite things. I've always loved flying. Looking back at all the places I been and the things I got to witness, I am thankful for the stamps in my passport. I have had some amazing adventures and even though I haven't really gone anywhere lately I can always go back in my mind. I know one day I will get to travel again.

17. Going to the Library is another of my favorite things. I love that there is a place where you can go with thousands of books and take them home to read. I love entering into a writer's world. Being taken to another time, another world while sitting on my comfy couch is one of life's greatest pleasures.

18. I am thankful for my iphone/ipod. I know this one is a little out there but I love being able to play the games on it. I could probably play 50 games of solitaire a day. There's something so relaxing about staring at that little screen.

19. Really for all electronics. I'm not sure if I could live in the times of no phones, cars, dishwashers, computers, tvs, microwaves, fridges, etc. I am very thankful that I have all of these so that my days at home are that much easier.  I could imagine having to go out and milk a cow or churn my own butter.

20. I love that my son has a huge backyard to run around in.

21. Thrift stores are another thing that I wouldn't want to be without. I love getting a bargain. Things now a days are prices so that big businesses can make the most profit. There are so many things that we don't need but we buy and end up giving away. I love being able to go through all the racks and bins looking for things that I could use and then getting them for fractions of the price if the were "new".


22. PBS. I love watching my son dance around the room, singing and imitating their great kids programs. I honestly think he is as smart as is he because of these shows. Ok, so obviously he's a genius to begin with but I really think that the PBS kids program is amazing. It's so much better than the other crap cartoons out there. He is thoroughly entertained but he is also learning his alphabet and how to count and so much more.

23. My family's health. My son has never had anything more than a cold. He's never needed antibiotics. Never had a cast or stitches. I realize these things will happen eventually and I'm hoping I wouldn't freak out too much when the do but to go 2 1/2 almost 3 years without these things is amazing. My husband is relatively healthy, I am healthy. I am thankful that we, and our parents/siblings have no major illnesses.

24. Our car. Although I am ready for something new and bigger, I am grateful that we have a car that is pretty reliable. Besides needing new tires, doesn't require a ton of work or maintenance. We have had some pretty great trips and fun times in that car. I will be sad to see it go when the time comes.

25. Opi. She brighten our lives and made us a family before their were kids. We will never forget what an important part she played in our lives and I can only hope that we did right by her. I hope she felt our love always and that she has a new bone everyday in heaven. We may get a new dog one day but I don't think she'll ever be able to be replaced.

26. I am grateful for the medical breakthroughs that happen everyday in every field. It is my hope that one day we will rid the world of the senseless death caused by cancer or AIDS. There is so much out there that we still don't know. I strongly believe that it will be through science that we make this world better.

27. Elections. Today is also election day. I am grateful that we live in a country that allows us to speak up and vote and change things if we feel they are not acting in our best interest. I feel proud and thankful that our four fathers gave us this right.

28. The last one.... I am grateful to all of you that take the time to read my words. Some days its not very exciting but I try to post things that are relevant to me and that mean something. So THANK YOU :)



(Side note... this was actually typed up yesterday but for some reason never posted.)