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.

Week #1 - New Year

Just A Good Ol' Time Ricky

I'm not rightly sure what New Years was like back in the day. There are no cute family pictures or reminiscent day's of old stories. I can remember Nana would make black eyed peas and collard greens for luck. She would put out shrimp cocktail and pickle dishes. I even remember a few years when my grandparents would invite friends over to play pinnacle, but the youngn's never seemed to make it to the dropping of the ball.

One Of My Personal Favs

I do recall one year in particular.

My Aunt & Uncle had taken me along on a beautiful trip camping in the U.S. Virgin Islands, on

St. John. Now I was young and was off to the Land Of Nod long before midnight. But, if I recall

correctly, the next morning we packed up and headed to St. Thomas for a lovely hotel due to the 

wild donkeys over running our campsite. 

Note to self: no matter where you are there will always be party crashers.

Until Now...

I don't quite recall how this tradition began but it is one that is sticking. When I was planning the menu for this week I took a poll. 

"What does everyone want to do on New Years for dinner?" 

The answer: "Really? Lobster Duh"

The annual New Years Lobster Race has been going strong for the better part of a decade and it is the highlight of everyone in this home. 

Who says you shouldn't play with your food before you eat it?

Enjoy!

This Week We Purchased The Following: 

NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH, ZIP, ZERO

 The total spent was $0.00

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

You know what I love about this time of year? 

Unexpected invites!

Since we had so many changes in our plans we 

get to roll over all those meals we didn't make,

again! Now that may not help you much but

I have come to find if I don't use it, I freeze it.

Than when I do need it, I have it.

Breakfast Options For The Week

• Pumpkin Cranberry Bread (LO)
• Peaches & Cream Instant Oatmeal (Plenty left)
• Banana Nut Muffins (FZ)
• Cinnamon Raisin French Toast (FZ)
• Banana Walnut Instant Oatmeal (Plenty Left)
• Blueberry Pancakes (FZ)

The best part about making one or two

things a week is that eventually you have

plenty and you don't have to make a

single thing!

Monday:

Lunch - Ham & Cheese Sandwiches (hot or cold, your call)

Dinner - Turkey & Vegetable Soup, Biscuts (FZ)

Tuesday:

Lunch - Turkey Cesar Salad

Dinner - Roast Turkey Club Sandwiches with Cranberry Sauce

Wednesday: New Years Eve

Lunch - Turkey Cesar Wraps

Dinner - Lobster, Steak, Boiled New Potatoes

**WooHoo Surf N' Turf

Thursday: Happy New Year

Lunch - Tropical Chicken

Dinner - Savory Meatloaf, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Side Salad

Friday:

Lunch - Chicken Wraps

Dinner - Amish Poor Mans Steak, Rutabaga Pancakes (I used LO)

Saturday:

Lunch - Meatloaf Hoagies

Dinner - Shepard's Pie, Side Salad

Sunday:

Lunch: Left Over Dive

Dinner: Simple Crock pot Beef Stew, Loaf of Bread or Yeast Rolls and Butter

Dinner At Friends House - My Turn To Bring - Last Week Was Canceled.

Snacks:

• Oranges, Bananas, Apples
• Popcorn
• Granola Bars
• Coconut Pie
• Lemon Raspberry Cake 

Drinks:

• Coffee and Hot Tea
• Better Than Starbucks Frappicinos
• 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.)

Jeremiah 29:11The Message

I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.