Week #3: Guilty Pleasure

Guilty As Charged

I really don't need an excuse to get carried away. It's shameful really. I know I need to get the laundry done, boil the chicken, or make those bagels but so often I get mega carried away by a good netflixing.

This should be what Netflix asks, right?

Don't you love how Netflix asks if your still watching? No I went on a marathon run and forgot I left the show on, YES I'm still watching. Breath, in the nose out the mouth. With the wonderful snow that came trough it was the perfect occasion to sit mind numbingly in front of the television. For hours on end, I would think I'll make lunch after this episode, then ,oh, never mind I'm not hungry. Eventually I drug my booty out of the house and walked the neighborhood enjoying the tingle in my nostrils and lung with each inhale of cold snow laden air. I can't believe I almost missed it.

Really, you like that?

And what show prey tell could keep me cooped up for 4 days straight? X-Files. Yea, you heard me, and what?
I loved this show back in the day and with the upcoming release on FOX I could help myself. I didn't make it through all nine season's that would be preposterous, no I only made it through seven.

It's like Christmas all over again

Sunday January 24 after the football game.

Scully, Mulder and I will be reunited, but only for six episodes.

Do you have that thing from your youth that you get excited over, well sadly this is my guilty pleasure.

My family doesn't get it either, that's perfectly okay with me. It means it's my thing and I don't have to share it.

Here's to conspiracy theory's and freaks of nature!

Our allotted budget is $130 but the goal is to stay under $100

$71.05. Lets keep rock'n through January

Breakfast Options For The Week

Yogurt and Peaches

Blueberry Muffins

Oatmeal

Fruit Breakfast Bars 

Bagels 

Eggs, Toast, & Jam

We don't get too many snow days in these parts.

So when it does snow the town shuts down and everyone

stays home. Thank goodness for stock piling the freezer.

Monday:

Lunch - Poor Boy Sandwich (not Po'Boy)

Dinner - Rotisserie Chicken, Collard Greens, Potato Wedges

Tuesday:

Lunch - Salad w/chicken, boiled eggs, & cheese

Dinner - French Toast, Bacon, Scrambled Eggs

Wednesday:

Lunch - Egg Salad Sandwiches

Dinner - Hibachi Steakhouse Meal (Chicken)

Thursday: 

Lunch - Egg Salad Sandwiches

Dinner - Bacon Corn Chowder, CC Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Friday:

Lunch - 50 Cent Soup

Dinner - Dump Spaghetti

Saturday:

Lunch -  Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Dinner - Baked Ham with Pineapple, CC Sister Rolls, Succotash

Sunday:

Lunch: Ham Salad Sandwich 

Dinner: Ham & Broccoli Mac-N-Cheese 

Snacks:

• Popcorn
• Muffins 
• Homemade Potato Chips 
• Cookies
• Yogurt & Fruit
• Hard Boiled Eggs & Deviled Eggs

Drinks:

• Coffee and Hot Tea
• Water - that's a biggie here
• MYO Arizona Green Tea 
• MYO Lemonade Concentrate 

I Don't Leave Home Without It

I generally plan on Wed when I have 30 minutes before mass chaos begins.

I shop on Fri so our family menus (posted on the fridge) run from Fri to Thur.

How do I keep it all straight without pulling my hair out? I use Pepperplate.   

This site/App keeps all my recipes, super easy to upload from other sites, 

my shopping list which automatically uploads, my weekly/monthly planner, 

AAAND  (with best infomercial voice I can muster)   So Much More! 
(Nope I didn't get paid to say that either.)

Matthew 11:25-26        
At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.  

Week #2: Mornings

Not a morning person

I'm not sure much can be added to that. 

It is just a fact of life,

Morning is mean.

Or Threw At You

I would love to wake up singing "The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music" but alias try as I might I have never been able to wake up chipper. The reality is I'm lucky I don't break the alarm clock when I go to hit the snooze button 3 times or throw my phone across the room.

In fact my dear husband, who is much better at mornings than I, has even at times, attempted to help be get going in the morning at great risk and peril. Praise God he is a determined soul.

It Smells Like Coffee

On most nights I go to bed with the best intentions. I intend to wake up and work out. I intend to put on make up and do something more with my hair than a ponytail. I intend to have a delightful breakfast ready and waiting for my children before sending them off to school for the rest of their day. 

I intend on being a Doris Day for my husband, all smiles and roses.

I know the possibilities are endless.

But then this happens...

I have a solid hour drive into work. On most days it's still dark when I leave, but as I make my way in, I get to watch the world wake up. And, very slowly, I wake up with it.

I see the many way's God paints the sky. I watch as the sun breaks the horizon over abandoned farms with empty fields. I see the way the colors of the sunrise bounce off high rise buildings as I enter the city. I get to smell bakeries and coffee shops preparing their wares. I get to have quiet time, in my car, uninterrupted. Sometimes, if I turn off the radio and I listen and watch and smell, I swear I can hear God.

This Week We Purchased The Following: 

 

Our allotted budget is $130 but the goal is to stay under $100

$72.53! Not as close to $50 as I would like, but
I'll take it.

Breakfast Options For The Week

Yogurt and Peaches

French Toast (Fz)

Oatmeal

Eggs & Toast

Blueberry Pancakes (Make & Fz)

It's Little Man's Birthday. Saving up with

budget meals during the week so that 

celebrating won't take a hit to the 

old budget.

Monday:

Lunch - Tuna Salad Wrap 

Dinner - Cabbage Chicken Saute, CC Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits  

Tuesday:

Lunch - Egg Salad Sandwiches

Dinner - Goulash, CC Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits (LO) 

Wednesday:

Lunch -  LO Goulash

Dinner - Chicken Vegetable Soup, CC Jiffy Cornbread Muffins 

Thursday: 

Lunch - PB & J

Dinner - Potato Perigee, Caramelized Onions, & Large Salad

Friday:

Lunch - Crab & Swiss Stuffed Mushrooms & Salad

Dinner -Hot & Spicy Grilled Pork Chops, Potatoes & Onions, Steamed Broccoli 

Saturday:

Lunch - Fifty Cent Soup 

Dinner - Honey Sesame Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Side Salad 

Sunday:

Lunch: 

Dinner: Graydon's BIRTHDAY!!! 

Snacks:

• Popcorn
• Muffins 
• Carrots & Dip
• Granola Bars
• Apples and Peanut butter OR Carmel Dip
• Yogurt & Fruit
• Hard Boiled Eggs & Deviled Eggs

Drinks:

• Coffee and Hot Tea
• Water - that's a biggie here
• MYO Arizona Green Tea 
• MYO Lemonade Concentrate 

I Don't Leave Home Without It

I generally plan on Wed when I have 30 minutes before mass chaos begins.

I shop on Fri so our family menus (posted on the fridge) run from Fri to Thur.

How do I keep it all straight without pulling my hair out? I use Pepperplate.   

This site/App keeps all my recipes, super easy to upload from other sites, 

my shopping list which automatically uploads, my weekly/monthly planner, 

AAAND  (with best infomercial voice I can muster)   So Much More! 
(Nope I didn't get paid to say that either.)

Psalm 139:18

And when I wake up, You are still with me.

Week #1: Who Are You?

"I hardly know, sir"

"I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed so many times since then."

Lewis Carroll just got it. No matter how many times you ask me the question, Who are you,  the answer will always be different. 

I know who I once was by looking back and it is certainly impossible to know who I will be. 

Yet, who I am?  Now why does that create such a quandary?

Walls, Walls, Walls

Huh?

Okay, this may take some explaining. Hang in there with me.

The last 2 years of  my life have been tumultuous to say the least. Without dishing out a Mt. Crumpet of details, the short of it, I believe, is that God needed to do some intense renovation within me. 

What does that picture have to do with anything? I'm glad you asked.

Well, it's the banner for the series our church is doing this month. Today's service was highlighting the book of Nehemiah. As I sat there and listened my heart was moved, dots began connecting.

 The only thing missing was the Hollywood lighting, timely soundtrack, and a zoom in on center.

It only took 52 Days...

As a working married mother sister friend human being it amazes me that anyone can get anything accomplished. 

But 2000 years ago, without all the modern machinery any accomplishment seems amazing. 

My, Aha came from hearing about all the potential distractions that Nehemiah faced. An enemy that tried everything to prevent the wall from being finished.

It occurred to me, I have that same problem.

I am the wall that God is rebuilding but I too have an enemy that is continually working to distract me, attack me, convince me that this job really isn't worth all the work.

Rendition of my front yard

Just walk up my driveway or step into any room in my house and you will be met with any number of unfinished projects. This one happens to be right under my front window.

If I am that easily distracted with non important things it's no wonder my heart needs such a big reno.

There is good news though!

I'm not in charge of this project. Whew…

Who Am I?

I am a work in progress. But I'm not worried cause I have the best contractor.

This Week We Purchased The Following: 

Our allotted budget is $130 but the goal is to stay under $100

$67.08! What a way to start the year!
That's $62.92 for savings or restocking later in the year

Breakfast Options For The Week

Toast and Applesauce

French Toast

Oatmeal

Eggs & Toast

Just Middles

It's the beginning of the year and I was able to have 
some really big hunks of meat like a whole spiral
ham and a leg of lamb that I need to repurpose.

Monday:

Lunch - Cobb Salad

Dinner - Moussaka, Side Salad

Tuesday:

Lunch - Ham & Cheese Sandwich

Dinner - Red Flannel Hash and  Spinach Quiche

Wednesday:

Lunch -  PB & J or Salad

Dinner - Monte Cristo

Thursday: 

Lunch - Grilled Cheese and Sliced Tomatoes

Dinner - Crock pot Split Pea Soup & Biscuits

Friday:

Lunch - LO Quiche

Dinner - Chinese Chop Suey, Rice

Saturday:

Lunch - Fridge Leftover Dive

Dinner - Cauliflower Pizza Crust for Healthy Pizza

Sunday:

Lunch: Fridge Leftover Dive

Dinner: Fish Newberg

Snacks:

• Popcorn
• Granola Bars
• Apples and Peanut butter OR Carmel Dip
• Hard Boiled Eggs

Drinks:

• Coffee and Hot Tea
• Water - that's a biggie here
• Hot Chocolate
• MYO Arizona Green Tea 
• MYO Lemonade Concentrate 

I Don't Leave Home Without It

I generally plan on Wed when I have 30 minutes before mass chaos begins.

I shop on Fri so our family menus (posted on the fridge) run from Fri to Thur.

How do I keep it all straight without pulling my hair out? I use Pepperplate.   

This site/App keeps all my recipes, super easy to upload from other sites, 

my shopping list which automatically uploads, my weekly/monthly planner, 

AAAND  (with best infomercial voice I can muster)   So Much More! 
(Nope I didn't get paid to say that either.)

Nehemiah 6:3

I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.