Menu Planning Monday!!

Ack, tis Monday again!!! NASTY weather is going to be pummeling us over the next few days, so I've pulled from the freezer--no way do I want to go out any more than I have to!! As always, I'm linking up to I'm an Organizing Junkie (when I try to embed the link, it doesnt work, please click on her in my blogroll on the right). If I hurry, I'll be #347 for this week!!!
Monday: Class, boys mooch (although one class was cancelled due to weather and Parker was hoping for dinner!)
Tuesday: TaterTot casserole, biscuits
Wednesday: Putting Kurt in charge =)
Thursday: Tilapia, rice, beans
Friday: Pork chops, pasta, peas
Saturday: To Die For beef roast, taters, veggies
Sunday: Fried Chicken, mashed taters, corn

Paxton's new love

I've never embedded a video in a blog post before, I surely hope this works!!! I showed Paxton this video on youtube last night and oh my word, to watch his face was priceless. He said "I know those words!" (do, re, mi) from music class. He would watch this back to back to back to back if I let him---he picks up something new each time.
This is my absolute favorite flashmob, so I don't mind his repeated enjoyment of it at all!

Flashback Friday

Ugh. Beckett is downstairs hacking up a lung with a continued winter cold. I needed to see some summertime action followed by PEACEFUL sleep for our little knucklehead--something he's just not getting much of right now =(

Truthful Thursday

I'm plugging away!!!!! This afternoon I spent some time snapping a bunch of pictures to get some things listed on eBay, I've had some luck in the past so we'll give it a go again. I've also made 2 nice trips to the thrift store and have passed along several things to others.
My one room RFC is still going MOSTLY good. My classes have started again, so when push comes to shove, studying has to win out---BUT that means I'm working on another resolution, right? HA!!!

Menu Planning Monday!!

This week is the start of my FINAL semester of school!!!! Only 16 more weeks of "I have class, the boys are mooching at Grandma's" HA! I'm linking up as usual to I'm an organizing Junkie--HUNDREDS of great ideas over there =)
For us this week:
Monday: Class, boys are mooching!
Tuesday: New chicken in the crockpot recipe, pasta, veggie
Wednesday: Kurt's home, going to put him in charge =)
Thursday: Pork tenderloin, rice, veggie
Friday: I have a late training day, Parker will be watching boys, so I'll treat them!
Saturday: Steaks, baked taters, corn
Sunday: Chicken breasts in some way, shape or form!

Go Pack Go?

So, there's this big football game happening today (well, maybe even more than one), which is big news around here. The beloved "home team" aka Green Bay Packers are taking on Da Bears (which MANY around here have a place in their hearts for---the Bears had their Summer Training Camp here for many years in the 80's and 90's). Now, me personally---I could care less about this or any other professional football game. I think they are all overpaid babies and far too many of them think their status entitles them to behave however they darn well please, but that's a whole 'nother post, HA!
I am blogging about this particular game because of what one little boy said this morning. Paxton asked Kurt what time the big game is? Kurt told him 2pm. Paxton wanted to know what time we needed to get going in order to get there in time? Now, I can only guess he picked up some inkling of this game at school b/c we certainly don't have it as a big topic of conversation here!!
Kurt got to explain that we don't have tickets and its a very long drive to get to this game, etc, etc, etc. Which seemed to make our sweet little dimple faced boy happy!

Guess he was bitten early....

OK, not sure how big this picture is going to show up--playing with my new scanner and have some tricks to learn yet!
I was scanning in some pictures of my BFF and I from a few (alright, many) years ago and couldn't help but slip this one of Parker in! This is probably his 4th birthday and it looks like he got golf clubs =) I'd say they made an impression of the positive nature, HA!

Truthful Thursday

Not that I've been a good blogger lately (HA!), but I have been plugging awau at the NYR's =) School starts on Monday, so the next TT update might not be as positive, LOL!!
Tackled some areas in the kitchen last weekend--both sides of the fridge/freezer and the cabinet with spices/baking supplies. Did some tossing, lots of wiping/scrubbing and a little bit of picture taking. Looking better means feeling better when opening the doors!!

Menu Planning Monday!!

Whoop, here it is!! Monday again =) I'm linking up with I'm an Organizing Junkie--if I hurry and get this posted, I will be #379 blog linking up this week!! Multiply that by 5-7 meals on EACH and you'll be set for life, HA!!!
For us this week:
Monday: Kurt did brats/dogs, chips, baked beans
Tuesday: I'll be gone, but Kurt has some options to choose from
Wednesday: Not sure yet, I'll be getting home from my BFF's!
Thursday: Chicken breast baked with brown sugar, pasta, veggie
Friday: Lasanga, salad, bread
Saturday: B-day dinner for my Mom, TBD but will include spaetzle and blueberry pie!
Sunday: Beef roast and all the trimmings =)

Flashback Friday

Beckett has been mentioning the Dells a ton lately, so this weeks FF should be of a past trip, right?!

Truthful Thursday

I did a few of these last year to help myself stay accountable to my new years resolutions--I think it worked to keep me on track so I'm bringing 'er back for 2011 =)
* Having one room RFC each night: I'm doing surprisingly well with this one!!! Tonight I even steam-mopped all of the upstairs floors except Parker's room--he needs to do some picking up--HA! When I told a co-worker of this little gem, she incorporated it at her own house. Of course, this now means I need to hide whenever I see her husband approach...
* Commenting on blogs more. Trying to average one comment a day, but I'm not sure I'm quite there yet!
* The continuation of de-cluttering: Filled a bag for the Thrift Store today and tackled my "layering" baskets. These two baskets hold nothing but Christopher & Banks layering pieces: turtlenecks, tanks, sleeveless mock turtlenecks, T's--you get the idea! Far too many have not been worn in far too long! I have a BIG pile (the one on the bottom) to send to the above-mentioned coworker and a pile for eBay--that'll be a weekend project! It's been a while since I've done any listing, its work, but the rewards have usually been pretty good so I might as well try it again!

Our patient wait-er

Back when the little boys got their separate rooms this Fall, Paxton got a new nightstand and dresser, Beckett did not =( He's been waiting so patiently and asking occasionally in an ever so sweet voice "have you gotten me a table yet"? Not that it's anything to write home about, but I grabbed a "some assembly required" piece of veneered-pressboard el cheapo nightstand to make him one happy little camper. He has spent a great deal of time choosing with great care what important belongings get to reside in the dark corners of the drawer and which books/DVD's will occupy the not-one-but-TWO shelves under that drawer. He has rearranged the lamp and clock countless times (although the combinations are not countless--HA!)
He was ready for bed by 5pm on assembly day, however his 5 year old little butt did not remain in bed at that hour =)

Menu Planning Monday!!

I feel so far ahead of the game this week! Tuesday and Wednesday night dinners are assembled and waiting in the fridge =) Trying to pull from the freezer this week, with the exception of Saturday--it's my Dad's birthday and rather than rack my brain to think of a gift or buy something he doesn't need, I'm making dinner for my parents, with a repeat next Saturday =)
I'm linking up to I'm an organizing junkie, literally HUNDREDS of meal ideas over there!! For us this week:
Monday: Quesadillas
Tuesday: Spinach manicotti, salad, garlic bread
Wednesday: Chicken enchiladas, spanish rice, corn muffins
Thursday: Steaks, baked taters, broccoli
Friday: Tilapia, rice, green beans
Saturday: TBD, but it will include banana cream pie!
Sunday: Chicken of some sort from the freezer!

Flashback Friday

Well, since it's snowing here AGAIN (yes, I know it's Wisconsin), this blogger needs to see some warm weather activities =)

COACH!!

One of Arielle's Christmas gifts was an almost empty box, save for a piece of paper printed with the Coach logo--which translated to "a trip to Coach for a new purse"! Makes for a very happy 19 year old =)
We met my sister and one nephew at the outlet mall in Wisconsin Dells and hit it! We made a couple of laps and narrowed down our favorites and each got a nice accessory!! Arielle's final two are pictured above, she went with the the classic brown one =)

New Years Resolutions, ca 2011

Well, looking back at the resolutions I made last year, I didn't do too bad!!! Some of them seem like I've been doing them forever, which I guess is the way it's supposed to be, right?! So in the interest of self-improvement for the new year, this is my list--nothing too taxing though, HA!!
*Graduate from nursing school!!!!! This was/is a 5 year project and I fully plan to call it done in May!
*Leave more comments on blogs. I lurve to blog-hop and I KNOW bloggers love comments--I should be doing my part =)
*Keep on top of my checkbook register. Sad to say that I can be 2-3 paycheck deposits behind at times. Everything is ENTERED there, my running balance is usually not caught up. I think the best way to accomplish this is to not buy anything, but this darn family has grown accustomed to eating and heat and frivolities like that.
*Make one room RFC (ready for company) each night b/4 bed. Maybe that way housecleaning won't seem so daunting! Tonight it was our bedroom, BTW!
*Be better at sending out cards!!! I love to make them, love to send them too. At the beginning of the year I'm usually pretty good, but by October I've turned into a slacker. I should just sit down one weekend and get the whole years worth addressed and ready to go.
*More decluttering. I did a fair job last year---lots of trips to the Thrift store, consignment and my other delivery places, but ruthless is my new mantra. If we moved, would I look forward to unpacking it in the new house? Do I really like the way these jeans fit? Would I be embarrassed if I was in an accident and the ER saw me wearing these undies? (hey! think about it!) Yup, that kind of ruthlessness, baby!!
I think that's a nice start on self-improvement--gotta pace myself =)

Menu Planning Monday!!

I know I've missed the last couple of weeks in posting my weeks' menu, but there was one loosely formulated in my head! With the holidays and such, we were just a little more flexible, but noone starved--HA! I'll be linking up to I'm an Organizing Junkie, as always!!
Monday: Chili, corn muffins
Tuesday: SOS on toast, peas
Wednesday: Chicken breasts of some sort!
Thursday: Shrimp kabobs, rice pilaf, veggie
Friday: Something with round steak
Saturday: Kurt's home, maybe we'll eat out
Sunday: TBD
Not everything is nailed down yet--obviously, but I'm going to do some checking on blogs that link up like I do!!