Monday, February 27, 2012

Menu Monday

It's the start of another week which means it's time to post another menu. Before I get into that though I'd like to show you a little gadget my mom turned me on to.   (Ironic, because it's usually the other way around.)

It's the Sansa Clip MP3 player.  The photo is deceiving because this baby is TINY.  Really tiny.

Clip Plus 4 GB MP3 Player (Black)

I've owned and loved the Sansa Fuze for years but it's much larger than this little guy.  It's been a great running companion but the dial became frustratingly finicky.  (I love to run to Maroon 5 and Maroon 5 only so if the dial switched, I was basically out of luck.)  

Mom has been walking to audio books on CDs for years and decided to streamline to MP3s. (WTG Mom!)  She bought one of these and brought it along with her on their visit a couple of weeks ago.  We downloaded several audio books onto the device and by the end, I was hooked. I placed an order on Amazon that very night.

All of this leads me to running.  Or should I say, walking.  In the last several months I've had to reduce both my mileage and my outings because my poor aching bod just couldn't take it.  I'd been limping around like an 80 year old and was back on NSAIDS for the inflammation and pain.  Randy has been pleading with me to stop running and start walking.  I'd try but after a few blocks I'd give in to a trot and by the end, I was running again.   Maroon 5 was not helping. After years of running to the music it just didn't seem right to walk.  I hear the first few beats of a favorite song and off I'd go. Soooo...Mom's method of walking seemed like a good idea.  If I'm listening to a book (and not Adam Levine) maybe I could focus on the story and maintain a fast walking pace.  It's been just over a week and it's working.  I'm enjoying my book (Guilty Pleasures - Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter) and getting out nearly every day.  I walk briskly so I'm definitely getting a good workout but I'm not paying the piper afterward. Yes, my hip still bothers me but not nearly to the same degree and I think once it has more time to heal, it will be much, much better.  Thanks Mom!

Ok...now the menu.

Monday - Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Tuesday - Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday - Turkey Meat Loaf, Cauliflower/Potatoes AuGratin
Thursday - Tuscan Bean Soup
Friday - Tacos/Burritos
Sat/Sun - Open/Leftovers

Off to BJs for my weekly shopping!

Friday, February 24, 2012

A Proud Mommy Moment

What an evening!  I couldn't possibly be prouder of our daughter.

Meg was given a "by" on the science fair last year due to the onset of her CRMO so this was all a first for us.  The county awards ceremony was held at one of our two county's middle schools and Meg's eyes bugged out when she saw this.



The stage was filled with tables of trophies and beautiful ribbons.  (Remember, the best way to capture my daughter's attention is to tell her there's a trophy involved.)  She was awestruck, to say the least.  I told her no matter how she placed, I was very proud of her and purposely mentioned how beautiful the ribbons were hoping that she wouldn't be too disappointed if she didn't come home with a trophy.  (Trophies are important, remember?)

They started the ceremony by announcing first the 4th grade winners followed by the 5th grade winners in each science category...physical science, health and medicine, environmental, etc.  Meg's category, product testing, was announced last.  I think she got more nervous as the hour went on.  Ribbons were handed out for Honorable Mention and 5th through 3rd places, in that order.  The first and second place winners were given trophies.  Our school had six students place at the county level and our principal was there to cheer each one of them on.

When they finally got to Meg's category we waited as our county coodinator called off each winner, starting with Honorable Mention.  The more names she called, the more excited we got....


Meg's project won 2nd place in the county!!! 

I think she and I were both stunned.  She'd worked very hard and even though I knew she'd done everything "by the book", placement is based on the opinions of 4 judges, most of them teachers but only a few of them science teachers. Yay for knowledgeable judges!




Being the proud, sentimental mom that I am, it was really hard not to cry.  She may go on to win an Academy Award one day for her theatrics *wink* but this will be the proudest moment for me.  I was still taking photos this morning.  :-)




She resented me terribly that long month of November but last night, right before bed, she gave me a huge hug and said "I love you Mom." It doesn't get any better than that.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Reluctant Scientist

My daughter is one of those types that has to be pushed in to attempting most things, whether it be food, activities and/or school projects but as is often the case, once she gets started she finds out that "it's not so bad."  This year's Science Fair was one of those things.  She knew she had to do it (it's up to the teachers in 4th grade and mandatory in 5th) but still she complained and procrastinated.  I'm sure having a gung ho scientist for a mom didn't make it any better.  ;-)  But as typically the case, once she got past the research phase and into the fun stuff, she came around rather quickly.

Her elementary school chooses the top 20 projects to advance for county judging.  Her project was in that top 20, number 7 to be exact.  (I know this only because I have inside connections. *wink*)  Her board was on display last week at the mall along with the other elementary school finalists.  I managed to snag a photo of her while I was there judging the middle schoolers.


She was very proud of her accomplishment as were we.  A few days ago she received a certificate and a trophy from her school acknowledging her hard work and if you know my daughter, TROPHIES make everything worthwhile in the end.


Well, along with her local school award she was also one of six at her school to receive an invitation to the Regional Science and Engineering Fair Awards to be held this Thursday.


Apparently her project placed at the county level!  No one yet knows what place she received (not even my inside source) so it will be a surprise.  She is thrilled though and very excited to have made it that far.

Her project (yes, chosen by me) was not anything earth-shatteringly scientific (comparing the amount of fat between ground round, ground chuck and ground sirloin) nor was her board particularly pretty (oh how I wanted to "JulieWorld" it up!) but what it is, is a good example of following the scientific process to the letter.  Yep, that's where Mama came in.  :-)  I made sure that she had all of her T's crossed and her I's dotted because of course, designing, performing and documenting experiments is what I did in "pre-Meg" life.  So while she resented me fiercely during that month, like always, she is so glad now that she took the time to do it all correctly.

We'll find out on Thursday just how well she did but it's truly not important.  I know that she's learned from the experience which is really what Science Fair is all about.  An added bonus for me is that she learned a little bit about her mama along the way.  :-)

Monday, February 20, 2012

Menu Monday

It was a beautiful President's Day.  Meg spent the morning at a new art shop opened up by two local moms.  They (her old Girl Scout troop) chose to paint beautiful peace signs on canvas and I was really impressed with the girls creativity.  



The gallery offers group private parties as well as instructional classes for kids and adults.   I'm definitely going to attend myself.  It looks like fun!

On to this week's menu....

Monday - Bourbon Chicken and rice
Tuesday - Shrimp and Pasta Formaggio
Wednesday -  Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, cole slaw
Thursday - Will be eating out...school event
Friday - Boston Market Meat Loaf (turkey) (if in town...anybody know?), au gratin pototoes/cauliflower
Saturday - Baked Penne (again, if in town)
Sunday - Leaving open

More on the Thursday school event tomorrow!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Today...

Today my "baby" turns 29 years old.  It still boggles my mind.  It's so cliche but honestly..."Where did the time go?"


A few of the "then" moments....




















And my most recent "now" ....




Happy Birthday Zoidie!!!   I love you very much and am sooooo very proud of you!!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Our Valentine's Day

My sweet husband showered both Meg and I with cards, beautiful flowers, chocolates and matching bead/charm bracelets on Valentine's morning.  (See the pretty matching red boxes?) 




I knew that Meg was getting one but had no idea he'd also purchased one for me.  It was quite a surprise.  We'll have a lot of fun individualizing the bracelets with our future additions.


(I really hate how my hands look so old next to hers but I do love the photo.)


Years ago we started Valentine and St. Patrick's Day traditions that involve big "buckets" that await Meg when she wakes up.  It's called The Bucket of Love on Valentine's Day and The Bucket of Green on St. Patty's Day.  Searching for candy and trinkets is as much fun for me as it for her to receive them. 





Like Christmas, it was an owl kinda Valentine's Day, right down to the card I made for her.  (No photo yet.)  

Later that day I was showered with valentines once again by my little first graders.  They were soooo excited for me to open and read all of their cards and check out all of my candy.  I just love my group!  We (a friend who also volunteers on a different day) gave them all cards, red ring pops and these book marks that I hurriedly created the night before.  


And after such a big day for us, my dear husband received only a card and several new pairs of slacks for work.  It's so hard to buy for the man who has everything and wants for nothing.  He's genuinely one of those guys who is happiest seeing us happy.  Knowing he's loved and appreciated is really all he needs and there's no doubt that he's both of those things to us and more.      

 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day all!  I'll post more about our "holiday" tomorrow but right now I'd like to catch you up on our last several days.

Our trip to Tampa was postponed for a couple of weeks but because I was in town I was able to participate in our county's science fair.  This was my second year as a judge and it's something that I really, really enjoy.  This year my teacher friend Michelle and I were given middle school chemistry, a favorite category of mine. (Last year I had high school environmental science, a subject I'm not as familiar with but extremely interesting.)  I really love talking to the kids, learning about their experiments and providing some feedback.

Meg's project made it to the top ten in her school which meant she advanced to county so I was able to see her board that morning at the mall as well. (Elementary level students do not have to be there to present their experiment.)  Their judging took place on Friday but no word so far as to whether she will advance to the state level.

The postponement of my nephews birthday party meant that my parents had a free weekend ahead of them and we were so happy that they took us up on our offer to visit us here.  We (my brother, sister and I) had purchased a Kindle Fire for my father (we got Mom an IPad for Christmas) so we spent the weekend playing with all of our devices.  Four adults, two couches and four games of Words With Friends going.  Family Game Night sure has changed.  :-)

Because of our long weekend, my menu plan this week started today.

Tuesday - Shrimp/Broccoli/Bowtie Pasta
Wednesday - Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken, Smashed Red Potatoes, Corn
Thursday - Green Salad with Blackened Chicken
Friday - Slow Cooker Tenderloin, Rice and a veggie
Weekend - Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, Memphis Cole Slaw

I'll be back tomorrow with some photos of our Valentine's Day.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A Little Rant

If you take a piece of clothing out of your closet or drawer, try it on, and then decide it's not what you want to wear, what do you do with it?  Toss it in your dirty clothes hamper?  Perhaps stuff it way back in your closet all wrinkled, hoping it's not found?  I thought not.  But that's exactly what my ten year old daughter does.

And what about towels?  Do you use yours more than once?  My husband and I do.  Do you use a second huge towel for your hair?  And then do you throw both into the laundry room sink after one use?  My ten year old daughter does.

Now mind you, she has several of those Turbie Twist things available for her hair but for some reason she often decides she needs two large bath towels.  I use my turbies, hang them up to dry and then reuse it the next day.  It really cuts down on laundry...not just the physical chore but also saves water and electricity.  I'm sorry but it's just as easy to throw a towel and a hair turbie over the shower door as it is to walk them into the laundry room and shove them in the sink.  And because she has a whole different set of towels than my husband and I, I can easily tell how many she goes through.  Too many.

I have talked until I am blue in the face.  I've docked her allowance.  I've taken away play dates with friends.  It works for a day or two but inevitably I'll walk in to her room to get her laundry only to discover clothes in the hamper that she never wore.  She always knows that the laundry fairy will arrive and put it all back nice and neat.  Well that fantasy is about to burst.

When Jay was Meg's age I was working full time an hour away from home AND attending grad school at night.  I couldn't keep up and felt like everyone should do their fair share.  Randy did his own laundry, I did mine and when Jay turned ten, he was taught to do his own.  He's done his own laundry ever since.  (His friends were all shocked in high school when they'd see him washing, drying, folding and putting away his own clothes but Jay thought nothing of it.)

I am very fortunate that I now get to stay home.  I'm here for Meg in ways that I couldn't be for Jay and for that, I will be forever grateful.  However, the days of me doing her laundry are about to come to an end.  I can't think of any other way to teach her that throwing clean clothes into the hamper is not acceptable. (Trust me when I say that some days I found SEVERAL outfits in there that have not been worn.)  If she's responsible for actually washing, drying, folding and hanging her clothes I have a feeling that she won't be so lazy when it comes to hanging the clean ones back up.  Or better yet, maybe she'll actually think a little longer about just what it is she'd like to wear that day.

She has received her final warning.  She doesn't think I'll follow through.  She is sadly mistaken.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Menu Monday

We had a nice weekend....just enough quiet mixed with some fun. Saturday night was dinner out with friends at our favorite Mexican place.  Meg insisted I take a photo of my margarita.  She couldn't believe the size of the glass!   (We call them fish bowl margaritas.)  The food is just as good as the drinks.  yum!





Following dinner we watched Money Ball on the Big Ass TV.   I loved the movie but then again, I'm a baseball fan.   The fact that everyone else enjoyed  it as well makes it a definite "thumbs up" rental.


My menu plan for this week...

Monday - Salmon Cakes (leftover salmon frozen away from a couple weeks ago)/Twice Baked Potato Casserole/Roasted Cauliflower

Tuesday - Parmesan Baked Cod, Twice Baked Potato Casserole (leftover from Monday), Baked Asparagus

Wednesday - Bourbon Street Chicken, Chipotle's Lime Rice

Thursday - Turkey Portabello Patty Melts, Wild Rice with Peas/Mushrooms (a patient of Randy's gave him some authentic wild rice from up north so we're anxious to try it)

Friday -Sunday  - Leaving open for now.  Meg and I will be traveling to my parents for my nephew's birthday and not quite sure of our departure.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Cards

I've had some JulieWorld time recently and have been busy building up my card stash.  I've implemented an assembly line fashion (like I did with my Christmas cards) making 6-8 of the same design at a time.  It makes it really easy to start and stop and I feel like I'm getting so much more accomplished.  Here are a few of my most recent cards...a couple of which were lifted from designs I found on the web.










They really do look much prettier in person.  By making six I'm able to keep one for myself and still have plenty for gift packs.

Meg has been feeling very slighted now that we rarely go out for dinner.  She's begging for her favorite  Salt and Vinegar chicken wings from Hurricanes.  We promised her we'd take her tonight so I have the night off from cooking.  :-)