Philly Cooking Creme - Savory Garlic

This afternoon for lunch we had Creamy Chicken Florentine (also the recipe on the back of my package).  I didn't have red peppers, so I used a green pepper.  I also used Ronzoni Garden Delight Rotini.

The flavors of the pasta added to the flavor of the Savory Garlic.  I thought it was quite yummy!  (And SUPER easy).  What more could you ask for?  Except for maybe a delayed start time oven. . .maybe. . .

New Boots!

Today, I got these:

Target: $30, through tomorrow

Not as great (or comfy) as these b.o.c by Born's:

but the $70 difference sold me. . .

Potty, Potty

Yesterday, my best friend sent me a link to this blog post, and I've got to admit - hilarious! Her smaller diaper idea is brilliant!

I shared our story in a comment with who knows how many strangers on her post - and decided that I should share with my friends too, because in reality - potty training almost sent me to therapy too!

When I quit work in April to be home, I thought, "OK, let's tackle this potty training thing. It'll be a breeze, nowhere to go to, nowhere to be". Yeah, only if your trainee is on the same page. Mine was not.

Sweet Noah turned 3 on June 6th. This was the day he became a "big boy". We took down his crib and replaced it with a super cool "cars bed", as he calls it. That first morning, I cried a little, he didn't need me to get him out of bed anymore.

We have been talking and talking and talking about going potty for probably a year – I felt like a broken record. You would think that the smallest one in the family would want to be just like all the big people. Nope – apparently babies want to stay babies forever, well my baby anyway :) He didn’t care about it – wanted to wear a diaper all his life, I’m sure (and why not really?). He didn’t want treats – would not be bribed with anything. Any time he would say he wanted a new car or “fill-in-the-blank”, I’d say "sure, if you go potty we’ll buy it" – and he’d say, “nah, I don’t want it anymore”.

3 weeks ago today, I changed his diaper after breakfast – and decided that this was it, no more, I put undies on him (I’ve done this before and it didn’t phase him, somehow this felt different from the beginning). We went to get sissy at school at 3pm, still dry. I’m inwardly terrified that I will be utterly embarrassed – after all, the kid hasn’t peed in 6+ hours. And I made the decision too fast – parent/teacher conferences were that night, my dad was keeping the kids, so I could have my 15 minutes of fame in peace. However, I wanted to spare my dad the mess, so on goes a pull-up. I pick them up, of course its wet. OK, well, small step back, I hoped my lack of planning didn't ruin the whole mission.

Underwear go back on after baths.

Friday morning, he wakes up dry. Friday is my grocery day. That morning it was chilly here in Cinci, so I dressed him in jeans and a sweatshirt. I’m a nervous wreck my groceries will get drenched, but we do it, for the sake of consistency. Keep in mind, he has not EVER peed in the pot. Ever. We get home, he is dry!

I bring in the first load of groceries and he’s standing in the middle of the kitchen floor in a huge puddle of pee screaming. I made him clean up the mess on the floor, and told him he was going to have to wait until I got the groceries unloaded and put away. I took my sweet time. He stood in the same spot, crying the whole time. I knew he was miserable in those strategically placed soaking wet jeans, but i was secretly hoping this would be it. I got him all cleaned up and changed, knowing it would be a long time before he needed to go again.

After sissy got home from school, and after their snack – I started keeping a full cup of water on the table for him, and reminding him to drink it. All the while, I set the timer and we visited the bathroom every five minutes. 32 minutes in, (I’m in the middle of browning pork chops - truly unbelieving we will not end this day in undies), he pees a little in his pants – but stops and tells me he needs to go! And finishes in the pot! We were so excited, we called everyone we knew. All he could think about was when are we going to Target and get a watch!

He was happy to pack up the diapers, the pull ups and the swimmers for another sweet baby (not mine!).

We had 2 instances of wetting the bed at night, close enough together that it made me wonder if we needed to do pull ups at night. But the last time was almost 2 weeks ago. I can handle that.

He pooped brilliantly that first day, but struggled a little to get the hang of it, but I think he's got it now.  After a string of several accidents in a row, he finally hopped himself on the pot and went.  We went to Target and he picked out a couple Cars 2 cars.  He's had them taken away a few times for accidents, but so far this week, those cars have been his!

I’m so relieved! And so proud!

In retrospect, (while infinitely frustrating knowing your the only one with an over 3 kid that still wears diapers) I'm glad we didn't push him. I'm glad I tried and frustratingly failed several times before success this time, because he needed to understand for himself that it was time. Our children grow up too fast as it is to force them into things they aren't ready for. They WILL do all they are supposed to in their time. We trick them into not wanting to be "babies", when secretly we want them to stay a baby. And why?

LOVE me some new recipes!

With the changing (and changing back) of the weather, I've been scoping out new recipes - and *somehow*, instead of hearty fall chilis or soups or Crock Pot recipes, I keep coming across (or more likely, searched) yummy desserts or muffins. . .

I've been tagging them into my delicious account, but I'm going to share what I've been drooling over.

Ginger Spice Cookies - my MIL makes some, not sure if this is the recipe tho - I'm interested to see what the hubby thinks

Easy Morning Glory Muffins - I have made these, Madison doesn't like raisins and I didn't have walnuts - so I skipped that, and both the kids love them.  I made them and put the whole batch in the freezer, taking out and warming up in single servings for breakfast.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins - excited to try these, and add them to my "freezer breakfast" repertoire

Chocolate Cut-Out Cookies - these just look awesome, right?!

Caramel Corn - my grandma gave us a bagful of this last week, and I can't get it out of my mind!

Now, this is not going to mesh very well with my C25k program.  At all.  Especially since I have been on the bench with an injured foot for 2 weeks now.  My foot is feeling much better, but hubs thinks I should give it another week.  I guess we'll start over. . .boo.  Maybe it'll go better with my cheap new Nike Free's!

What are you making for fall??  Please share!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

I used this Martha Stewart recipe for the Pumpkin Cupcakes.

I checked the Better Homes & Gardens website for the frosting - apparently, they changed it. . .such a shame. But here is the recipe I used:

Cream Cheese Frosting
8oz cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
6 cups powdered sugar
Mix together cream cheese, butter and vanilla.  Add powdered sugar 2 cups at a time - to avoid it blowing up in your face :)

You will have frosting left over.  I think I'm going to spread the rest on graham crackers and freeze for after school snacks.  I read that it can save for at least a month in the fridge, but that makes me a little nervous.

what's better than today?

Very early Wednesday morning, I started a Couch to 5k program. I'm using this app.  It literally gets you into it without burning you out, and without too much pain - pushes you just enough to want more, and not too much you want to give up. So I say. After 2 days.

Chad is working through the program with me (with this app) so we'll be accountable to each other.

The first week of the program consists of 3 workouts all including a 5 minute warm up walk, then alternating 60 second jog and 90 second walk for 20 minutes, then a 5 minute cool down. Wednesday, I did 2.1 miles. Far from a 5k, but I was surprised all the same.

This morning, I did 2.29 miles with a 11.38 running pace and a 13.46 walking pace. Which is far from my goal of an 11 minute mile, but it's only day 2. I pushed a little harder, especially in the early runs to pick up a little speed. I felt less awkward on the runs this morning than I did yesterday.  I didn't think that I would be able to pick up any extra mileage doing it back to back days (which I won't be doing typically - but I wanted to stay on the same schedule as Chad).  Anxious to see how he does tonight on his day 2 - WITH a day of rest.

Yesterday afternoon, I did some music hunting.  I found this blog.  She has really put time and effort into these playlists.  They are designed specifically for a C25k program.  Each playlist is the perfect amount of time (excluding cool down time).  At each walk-to-run or run-to-walk transition, there is a Barry Manilow-esq 5-4-3-2-1-0 countdown in the background, barely audible - but you hear it subconsciously, and then the song changes as your activity changes.  I was very surprised by all this, since I literally downloaded a few and hoped for the best this morning.  And it worked great - until my program somehow got paused half way through and my music was 30 seconds ahead of where I actually was in the workout.  For me though, it was less about the music, and more about the beat.  All of the songs she chose were perfect for a first week pace.

Am I training for a 5k? Seems kinda funny to say, since it's only 3.1 miles.  But the end goal is a 5k race. Start small.  However, I'm not ashamed to say - no marathon for me!

It's Tuesday!

We have had a quick August.  I CAN NOT believe that September starts Thursday - how does that even happen?

We had a great trip to MO visiting my brother and sis-in-law.  And of course the Hannah/Stephen wedding!

School started days after we got back, and we have been struggling with getting back into our school routine: bus schedules, homework, soccer practices, and soccer games.  Poor Noah doesn't know what to do with Madison not being home all day, but we've kept busy with story time at the library, play time at the park and books.

On top of that, we put the finishing touches on the master bath - and just need curtains hung in the bedroom.  Furniture is in (another dresser to arrive hopefully sooner rather than later - since the delivery guys broke it. . .) and we love it.  I'm going to try out a looking glass spray paint to upcycle our current lamps (work PERFECT, but I'd like to update them?!), as found on Pintrest.

Next week my plan is to get to work on the other side of our room (actually the 4th bedroom, with the wall between knocked out to make the master larger), organizing and pitching, pitching and boxing.  This is the room that everything funnels through when it has no home.  It also currently houses and TV with extra large microwave cart as its stand, and a desk that I'm not using.  Both soon to grace Craigs List (we'll hold on to the TV, just in case!)

Looking forward to a long weekend free of soccer, and filled with worship, friends and loved ones.

Dinners have been less and less cooked with our schedule.  I cook when I can, but Tuesday and Thursday usually consists of kids eating before we go to soccer, and then baths and bed for them as soon as we walk in the door - then the parents eat.  With little success, I'm trying to shy away from hot dogs, mac 'n cheese, or pb&j even. Suggestions gratefully accepted!

Happy Birthday Ethan

Today, one year ago, sweet baby Ethan was born to my dearest friends, and taken away from us 7 short minutes later.

Today, one year ago, I peeked through the door of the room where Rachel, Mike and sweet Ethan were. I see the proud smiles of new parents as they hold their first born son.  I see sadness in their eyes as they gaze into his beautiful pouty face. I held that beautiful baby boy for just minutes, minutes I'll never forget.

Today, one year ago, with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I explained to my innocent 6 year-old daughter that Rachel and Mike weren't going to be bringing sweet Ethan home from the hospital, but he'd be waiting for us in Heaven when we got there.  And her looking up to me with her tear welled innocent eyes, "Mommy, I bet Rachel and Mike are real sad".

Happy Birthday, Ethan

Pierogi Lasagna

This recipe is from my mother-in-law. . .

Pierogi Lasagna
12 lasagna noodles
8 medium potatoes
1/2 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated
8oz cottage cheese
1 large onion
1 stick butter
salt
pepper

saute' onion in 3/4 stick of butter.
boil lasagna noodles until tender, lay out on wax or parchment paper when finished to cool.
peel potatoes and quarter, boil until tender.
combine potatoes, cheese, cottage cheese, 1/2 the saute'd onions, remainder of the butter, salt and pepper.
In 9x13 buttered pan, layer noodles and potatoes, ending with noodles.  Top with remaining onions and butter.
Bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 hr.

Note: I like to try to get only onion into the potato mixture, leaving more butter for the top - this will help your ending noodles stay tender and not crunchy.

Friday Menu - 7/22

Ok, so it's Sunday - and what a wonderful Lord's Days!  But let's pretend that you're just reading this late, and I'm not posting late :)

Friday: Creamy Pesto Pasta, breadsticks, corn
Saturday:  Homemade Pizza (however, it was eat what you can find night!)
Sunday: Pierogi Lasagna, lemon bars
Monday: Pineapple Bacon Burgers, pasta salad
Tuesday: Tacos
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Apple Butter Pork Chops, sweet potato casserole, rolls, corn

I'm starting to try to go through my pantry on things that I need to use. . .I discovered I have like 7 boxes of various pastas.  It's just so hard to pass up free pasta, ya know?

So, I've got to start cooking up some meals for hubby when the kids and I are in MO for the Hannah/Stephen wedding and visiting my brother.  Anyone have any good ideas for one person meals - with maybe one serving of left overs for him to take to lunch - that I can make up before hand and he just has to pop in the oven...not that he's incapable, but he'll be home working hard for us, the least I can do is have dinners ready.

Friday Menu

This week the ideas are quick and easy.  We are looking forward to the meeting with Brother Billy D. this week.

Friday: Baked Chipotle Beef Taquitos

Saturday: homemade pizza

Sunday: Potluck church dinner - Pierogi Lasagna, salad, Mississippi Mud Brownies

Monday: Spicy Honey Chicken, party potatoes, Bread Machine Rolls, Mississippi Mud Brownies (yes! I'm making them again)

Tuesday: leftovers - we'll surely have some. ..

Wednesday: Baked Chicken Penne, sweet carrots, Bread Machine Rolls

Thursday: tacos with Taco Chicken

I'm also going to make Tuna Salad for me for a couple lunches (after I pick up an apple).  Seriously, this is a must try.  Until I found this recipe, I did not like tuna salad, and was not afraid to say it.

You can also check out a list of recipes I've started to tag at delicious.com/danielle.mckinney.  I add recipes often, so check back.

Wednesday Droppsies and Thursday Finds

On Wednesday, I had a horrible case of the drops. I was dropping everything. The two that stick out the most was the large Tupperware canister of flour that I dropped on the kitchen floor (5 minutes before it was time to leave for church) and my iPhone onto the concrete garage floor (shattered the back, Apple fixed it FREE).

On the way back from my Apple Genius appointment Thursday morning, we were making a pit stop at the library since we hadn't been in a week. We added a pit stop at Swatches, and I found these:



I <3 <3 <3 this one. I hope we can figure something out. It's a little heavier than what we originally planned to use.

This one is $60/yard. Can. You. Imagine? It's not that great.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday Progress

Today, Rachel and I did a little fabric shopping for the duvet that will soon be gracing our new bedroom furniture that will soon be gracing our master bedroom.  

We're hoping to turn this:

into something that at least slightly resembles this:

We're still in the fabric picking stages, so probably later than sooner.  We'll see, should be at least fun!

Maybe I should have done some laundry or something - nah. . .always tomorrow, if not - then I won't have to worry about laundry :)

its about time, i'd say. . .

I can't decide what kind of blogger I am. . .because essentially all my life is copied.  I copy recipes - most recently from Our Best Bites, my new favorite blog (you MUST check it out).  I copy my deals from others who have done the work first (too many to list).  And really, life is life - busy and expected.  We aren't an earth shattering family.  We are just working hard to raise our kids "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4), again "copying" the Bible.

So, it's been almost 2 months since I've posted.  Gonna do a quick overview of the elapsed time.

May 16 - Madison & I at the dentist - 2 appointments = 0 cavities

May 21 - date with hubby to some unmemorable mexican place, and the concert for Southern Gateway Chorus - saw 2010 International Quartet champs, Storm Front = hilarious, Chad made fun of me, said I laughed the loudest, and maybe I did. . .

May 29 - Noah's bday party - success
             - hooked my father in law on Mille Borne.

June 6 - Noah's bday = room unveil = success

June 11 - 14 - PA, we kept busy, surprised by Bret and Amy and kids, i was sick practically all weekend.

June 16 - daddy/daughter date night at our local Chic-Fil-A. . Chad was going to take Madison, however Noah was quite put out at the proposition, so we all just went to Skyline

June 19 - Father's Day - we fell in love with Apple Butter Pork Chops, try them

June 27 - 29 - Chicago - anniversary trip - super fun, walked our legs off -
Highlights, in no particular order:
-saw Chicago at night from the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building
-Chad mastered the subway and bus system
-went the Museum of Science and Industry, saw the Body Worlds exhibit
-saw the bean and the rest of Millennium Park
-Taste of Chicago and Buckingham Fountain (both in Grant Park)
-ate at Carmine's about 4 inches away from the most annoying 2 girls ever
-browsed in Tiffany's
-rode the ferris wheel at the Pier
-discovered Jamba Juice
-experienced the MegaBus for the first time, I'd say we'd do it again under the right circumstances
-added my 7th shirt to my Hard Rock Cafe collection
-tried Chicago Pizza at Giordano's - I wasn't a big fan, crust was too flaky
-toured the Magnificent Mile and the Theatre District

July 1 - Madison's bday party - success, Barnes and Noodle (aka Noble) gift card and all

July 2 - Lion King - PHENOMENAL, really, I have no other words

July 11 - 2011 Fam Pics - 100 degrees, previews up on my Facebook wall. . . I <3 them :)  THANK YOU SARAH!

I want to start posting my menu for the week on Friday, maybe it will help you in the upcoming week.  A lot of people have "Menu Monday" for the OBVIOUS poetic ring, but my menu starts on Friday's.  That's the day I do my grocery shopping, and usually, we have nailed down what we're doing over the weekend, and really the weekdays are usually the same week after week.

So, here is the Menu Friday (on Monday)
Friday:  homemade pizza
Saturday: grilled pork chops marinated in Lawry's Steak and Chop, corn and Bread Machine Rolls
Sunday: chicken with Philly's Savory Garlic Cooking Cream, carrots and the left over Bread Machine Rolls
Monday: Spicy Honey Chicken, party potatoes, probably more Bread Machine Rolls
Tuesday: Baked Chicken Bacon Alfredo with Guiltless Alfredo Sauce, corn, and Monday's leftover Bread Machine Rolls
Wednesday: Dressed-Up Sloppy Joes, potato chips and dip
Thursday: French Dip Sandwiches on these hoagie rolls, sweet potato fries

Noah's Birthday. . .

The post title kind of makes me chuckle.  I ran across a blog tonight, Joel & Amy. While scrolling through, her DIY projects started me thinking about what we (uh-hummm, I) need to get done so we can have a huge 3 year old boy surprise!

For Noah's 3rd birthday, we are transforming his still baby room, into a big boy room.  We found one of those super boyish blue race car beds at our local Once Upon A Child for more than 50% off retail!  Its what I initially wanted to do, until I priced them at Toys R Us and WalMart.  For the same price, we could get a bed from IKEA at pretty much the same cost, that he would be able to use more than the next few years.  Except with the new solution, I was having trouble figuring out what we were going to unveil to him.  He is going to need to be overly excited, so not think again about his crib.  We've been mentioning in passing for the last few months, that it was about time to be a big boy - and he would have to sleep in a big boy bed.  He'd answer with, "nah, I just luv my cwib.  I don't neeeed to be a big boy".  His answers really haven't changed since the beginning.

The plan:
His birthday is on a Monday - we've already scheduled a separate extended family party Memorial Day weekend, while my in-laws are in town.  His birthday is the following Monday.  The kids will stay at my mom's Sunday night - Chad and I will work and work so we can go get them Monday (I'm shooting for shortly after lunch) and reveal total transition.  So, I'll need to have everything ready!

What we have:
1. The bed
2. Dresser - we are just using the one we got from IKEA before he was born
3. CARS (the movie) sheets
4. Red comforter

What he's getting for his birthday:
1. Toy Box
2. Cute little red table with a blue chair

What we need:
1. Red paint for under a border chair-rail
2. Light grey blue paint for above the chair-rail
3. Checkered flag border for chair rail - found some on Amazon, just haven't bitten the bullet yet and just bought it - just don't want to commit to 2 rolls if I don't have to.
4. Lamp - NO IDEAS!!
5. Fabric for valance (to be made by Nani) - looking for checkered flag, found an already made one on Amazon, but don't really want to shell out the $25!
6. Chalkboard paint for the table corner - gonna frame it in, gonna be cute (PS this is how I'm going to get away with one roll of border vs 2!)
7. Things for the walls - IDEAS??  I'd like something with his name.  Nothing too CARS (the movie) themed.
8. Pulls to change up the dresser

I'm really NOT creative (math minded), so I have trouble with the details - and definitely have trouble envisioning what something could be made into.  Any help is appreciated!

Monday, May 9

What a great Mother's Day (Weekend!!)!

I really have zero knowledge of what me and the kids did Saturday during the day.  I did a couple loads of laundry, since I got behind on that during the week.  I think I still have a load in the dryer. . .breaking my own rules.

Saturday night we met my parents and grandparents for Red Lobster, and after nixing the two hour wait, we jumped ship and decided on Outback's 20 minute wait.  Yummy steak and shrimp for Momma!  Then had my first dose of Aglamesis Bros. ice cream.  Pretty great!

Chad cooked us tacos Sunday for lunch and grilled us turkey burgers for dinner.  Us girls beat the socks off the boys in Mille Borne, well, we won anyway!  Was great visiting with the cutest couple around!

Since I did my grocery shopping on Friday last week, I didn't have to get that done today.  And I think I'm moving grocery day to Friday from now on - Monday has too many people, workers trying to change the tags for the new sale items, workers stocking the new sale items. . .I don't like dodging those huge rolly things.    Now I have to rethink my whole schedule. . .SIGH!

But today, Noah and I left Chad at home (to do some work) for the morning, and went to our first (kinda) playgroup.  I'm just not sure I'm cut out for it - AND more importantly, there were no kids Noah's close to Noah's age.  He played my himself for the bulk of the time.  So, why would I drive 15 minutes to a park if he's gonna play by himself and we could walk (literally) 15 steps to a park.

Tonight, I started back on my walking. . .I'd like to say "see-ya" to at least 15 pounds.  I was SUPER impressed in the battery on my iPhone with the iPod running the (don't laugh) whole mile (15 minutes).  BUT, I was down to 33% left, figuring the iPod would really drain it, but when I stopped, I still had 31%.  My goal: work up to 4 miles in the mornings and 4 miles in the evenings.  Until Madison is out of school, I probably won't have enough time to get more than 2 miles in before Chad needs to start getting ready for work.  Can I do it??!  I'm going to set up a playlist for my walks, so I know I'm done, rather than keeping track of how many laps around the park.  Any ideas on upbeat walking music?

Tomorrow, I'm making a trip to Lowe's for flowers and some paint for the front and back doors.  My goal: prime both doors, plant flowers, take down Master Bath shower doors, load of laundry, get winter boxes together for Chad to take to the basement, go to bed at 9pm(right)!

Dinner

Tonight we had Black Bean Soup and it was so good I wanted to share. Thank you Tif!

Weight Watchers Black Bean Soup

1 medium onion
1/2 green pepper
29 oz fat free chicken broth
1 can rotel tomatoes
1/2 bag frozen corn
8 oz salsa
15 oz salsa
1/2 cup brown instant rice

Put chopped onion, chopped pepper, and chicken broth in pot over medium heat and cook until onions are translucent, about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse black beans and add along with everything else. Let simmer about 40 minutes. Add sour cream or cheese. I understand without sour cream or cheese 1=3 points. Yummy!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Grouchy much?!

Apparently today I was a little grouchy?! Didn't do much today after the busy tiring weekend. Sure don't bounce back as well as I did 10 years ago. We did go to the grocery today and forgot several things. Yes, Elizabeth we did get bread and eggs :). Oh well. Although, my ground turkey rang up wrong. Sooo I got 4 pounds of ground turkey, paid 3.69 per pound at the register, and after a talk and walk with the service desk, I got back 12.38. You do the math!! Made my day for awhile anyway. I probably will go back later in the week anyway with all my coupons for the $5 off 10 participating items sale. There were several things on sale that were not in the ad that we would use. I made brownies for the teachers at Madison's school for teacher appreciation week. Made a loaf of French bread that just finished in the bread maker. Sure does smell good!

The potty training isn't going well. But it's just what I expected. I put him in underwear a couple days last week. We had accidents, but not puddles. Like he didn't like the feeling, so he stopped himself. I would tell him pee pee goes in the potty and put him on the little potty and he'd keep saying that he couldn't do it and that he didn't want to be a big boy. We've offered all sorts of treats and surprises, he just says he doesn't want our whatever it is. Do I keep on going or do I take a break?

Have a great week!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

what a day!

Today was fantastic!!

Took myself a little girl time. . .pedi and lunch with Rachel, then a massage (present from Chad).  So relaxing.  And I'm so ready for bed!!

I've been home a week.  And maybe have seen the inside of my house a total of 24 awake hours, ok - maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but not far off.  I certainly have not kept up with my schedule. . .but really, I have been keeping my head above water, at least not endless piles of laundry, my kitchen has stayed clean, my floors are vacuumed, and my toilets are shiny.  I have yet to dust  maybe tomorrow, after the oil change.  Maybe.  I hate, hate, hate to dust.

Started off the week successful since Monday is a no clean, no laundry day - and I did go to the grocery and I didn't need to clip coupons since there weren't any!

Next week, I'm going to start working with Noah on potty training. . .any helpful hints?  Afraid we're gonna need any help we can get for this cute stubborn boy!

one.more.day

Tomorrow is my official last day full time.  And official last day of the year.  I've agreed to go back part time in January through April 15th.  But that's so far away, I can't even think about it!

Today, we drove up to Columbus to worship with the congregation there, meeting the in-laws there.  And Skyline (surprise, surprise!!) for lunch before we each headed for home.

I've got my schedule for Tuesday all ready.  Not one moment to sit!
7:15 - wake up
7:40 - take Madison to the bus
8:00 - grocery
9:00 - home to unload groceries
        - load of laundry (maybe 2 since I've been behind in the laundry area)
10:40 - library for story time
12:00 - lunch
12:45 - nap for Noah
          - fold laundry/cleaning for Mom
   (ok, this may be the sit time. . .depending on how long Noah sleeps)
3:00 - get Madison from school
3:30 - take Noah for a hair cut
4:30 - homework for Madison
        - start dinner for Mom/pack lunches for Wednesday
6:30 - Chad home. . .

Shoo. . .looks like a lot on paper!

Since I'm working tomorrow, I did most of my meal planning and grocery listing last night and this afternoon.  So that's all done.

Here's what I came up with for dinner for the week. . .
Monday:  Ground Turkey Tacos
Tuesday: Chicken with Creamy Dijon Herb Sauce with peachy green beans
Wednesday: Tasty Turkey Thai (I'll use chicken instead, since I have it)
Thursday: Lasagna with corn
Friday: Pierogies
Saturday: Family Night: Homemade Pizza and a Movie

Looking forward to a great great week!

Only 1 more Monday

Today was the start of my last full week.  Only one more Monday to go.  Was a bittersweet day though, I took two of my co-workers to meet clients they are going to take over in my absence.  I emailed another client that I was leaving.  And me and the partner tell the last of my "during the year" clients tomorrow.  So far, I've gotten the same reaction from everyone. . ."We sure are happy for you, but we sure are going to miss you".  True or fluff, it makes me feel good.  Like I've made a difference, in the accounting and financial records anyway.  Telling my clients has been the hardest part of all this.

Last Thursday at Family Night, Madison's teacher told me that Madison comes into school every morning and tells her how excited she is that I'm staying home, and how much longer I have to work.  If ever I had a doubt about making the right decision, it was gone in that moment.

It was a successful weekend, I put together a tentative weekly schedule.  Tonight, I'm going to work on a time blocked daily schedule.  We're going to hit the ground running!!  I'm afraid that the first week is going to cramp our style though. . .I still have work on Monday, field trip Wednesday, and the Madison is off school Friday.  So, Tuesday, I've got to do all the things that I've been putting on the back burner. . .Noah a hair cut, much needed oil change, a trip to the grocery store.

I did find a mom group.  It's apparently very selective, and it may be totally out of my league.  But I'm going to try it out.  First meet-up is next Friday, a park stroller walk and play-date after.  Should be interesting if nothing else!  If all else fails, we will be hitting up the library once a week for story time.  We shall see.

1 more week. . .

This afternoon after work, I realized that I only have 8 days until my last day of work. Eight days, seven working days. Things are starting to calm down a little as we near the end of tax season, and I am starting to feel the excitement of the unknown of staying home full time.

I started mentally looking around and thinking about what needs to be done, a schedule to keep the house clean and laundry in drawers.  Do I work on laundry everyday?  Do I have a marathon laundry day?  Do I clean the main floor one day, and the upstairs another?  Or do I group it by chore, and focus on one or two chores a day?  I'm just not sure what's going to best work for me.  I think to start anyway, I'm going to try the a-little-each-day approach to the laundry and housework.  In theory, if we miss a day a home because of a planned (out of ordinary) outing, then I can (again theoretically) add a little to the other days of the week and still not feel behind.  Adding in small projects each week, to spruce the house up a bit.

The only thing I do know for sure, Monday's.  No laundry.  No cleaning.  You see, it's Chad's day off - so it's my day to do my coupon clipping, meal planning, grocery listing, and grocery shopping.

What works best for you?  Why?

What tips can you give me, as I start this adventure?