Menu Mania...

I have yet to grocery shop but my menu for the week is as follows:

Dinners:

• Buffalo Burritos or Quesadillas (for the kids)
• Grilled Lemon-Pepper Trout and Cous Cous
• Chicken and Broccoli Casserole w/ Rice
• Tortilla Torta and Watermelon (chicken and cheese for the kids)
• Breakfast for dinner

Lunches: (all lunches are served with fresh fruit or veggies -whatever's on sale!)

• Left-Over Quiche (Broccoli and White Cheddar, Blue Cheese and Bacon)
• Homemade Mac'N'Cheese spiked w/ Carrot Puree (every week!)
• PBJ's or PBB's (PB and banana)
• Pasta Salad w/ Wheat Pasta, Italian Dressing and Assorted Veggies
• Yogurt, Fruit and Muffins
• Turkey Dogs and Cornbread Muffins (frozen from double batch)

Snacks/Desserts:

• Oatmeal-Flax-Raisin Cookies
• Mixed-Fruit Pie (snacks and lunches)
• Banana Muffins w/ Chocolate Chips (sweetened w/ applesauce)
• Air-Popped Popcorn and Fruit
• Yogurt
• Chocolate Bread Pudding

Do we have to deal in reality ?!?

This last Tuesday was Chris' dad's birthday and I spent the day with him and the girls. In the evening we went to dinner as a big family (Aunts, Uncles, kids AND BOB'S NEW GIRLFRIEND!) Now, Chris and I have met her once before (and really liked her) but it's still difficult to transition from the oh-so-normal picture of Chris' parents, Bob and Sharon, to Bob with a new lady friend just shortly after Sharon's death.

Georgia met one of Bob's other lady-friends a few months ago and let's just say she responded with a clear statement of "you are not my BaBaBoo!" So, we have been cautious about introducing her to his new friend for fear that G would be funky again. But, Bob's getting serious with this lady and we took the plunge.

After some prompting from a friend I had a straight forward conversation with Georgia about PaPa having lady friends after BaBaBoo. (Which is so funny that it had to be suggested that I be straight-forward but I've since realized that I too wanted to avoid the reality of our circumstance...Sharon gone, lady-friend ever presently here.) Long story short, I started into a conversation with Georgia and she interrupted me and said, "Don't worry mom, I won't be ugly. I don't want PaPa to be lonely." And, she was just lovely the entire dinner.

Now maybe someone can have a straight forward conversation with me. It's still tough and I have a feeling it will be for a long while. Love your people my friends. Love your people.

Freegan Schmeegan ???

Well, some of you may have heard of Freeganism but if you haven't I'm posting the definition off Wikipedia for your review and then I'll get on with my blog...

"Freeganism is an anti-consumerist lifestyle whereby people employ alternative living strategies based on "limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources. Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed."[1] The lifestyle involves salvaging discarded, unspoiled food from supermarket dumpsters that have passed, or in some cases haven't even passed, their sell by date, but are still edible and nutritious. They salvage the food not because they are poor or homeless, but as a political statement."

So, the thought of dabbling in the freegan lifestyle has been swirling around my busy brain. Living in an area of town that is visibly wasteful makes me wonder if I'm missing a great opportunity to benefit from my neighbor's (specifically my neighborhood's grocery store's) over-stocking and waste.

On the flip side, digging through a trash can at 10:30 at night makes my nerves crimp up a bit. Doesn't that seem extreme? Or, would it be worth it and maybe even a bit exhilarating?

Until I reach some form of an opinion I'll be searching websites and looking for your input...

Dodge Ball !!!!!!!!

This weekend is my 10 year reunion and last night was Dodge Ball kick-off night. We had a blast drinking Gatorade and chucking balls at each other! But let me tell you...I'm not as young as I used to be. (Duh...) I tweaked my knee in the first game and limped off the court without trying to look like a wimp... I won't be TaeBo-ing as planned today. Darn.

Today is the Cocktail Party and, as usual, I'm involved in the planning and I'm off to finish my last minute list.

I do think I'll be hosting a dodge ball night some time soon... It's fun!
Enjoy your Saturday.

I'm back...

It's been way too long since I've posted! Life's been crazy and I've been treading water like a crazy lady in a plus size swimsuit!

I volunteered for VBS at our church this week and it was great. Don't get me wrong, hauling 14 four year old children around is quite a chore but they are all so sweet and eager to learn. And I'm not sure you've noticed, but I have a gift for the theatrical and it was nice to have an outlet to squirm on the ground like a worm or make my most gigantic bubble face while still trying to breathe through my nose like a lady! I taught Georgia's class and she was exhausted by the end of today. Later, she and I had a bit of a melt-down. Georgia and I talked our way through the melt-down and now we have another mommy-GiGi lesson to tuck under our belts! Whew.

Changing subjects completely...
Lately, I've been whining a bit to my husband about not meeting my needs. You know, not enough compliments, not enough this, not enough that... Poor guy. He tries so hard and has such a great heart. But ya know what? I still feel how I feel. So, I keep communicating (gently...I hope) and we'll continue to grow as man and crazy wife!

There's my news and vent for now. More frequent posting to come.... Thanks for listening.