tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23245993314399963732024-03-14T01:01:56.244-07:00i call times!if you have ever watched children playing tag you will have noticed that just before they are tagged, one will call times hoping to keep herself safe. well, this is me calling times: a much needed break from the numerous things that chase me daily and call my attention. i'm safe...if even just for a moment or two.jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-45723118117444281002007-09-18T14:04:00.000-07:002007-09-18T14:08:57.807-07:00i've moved!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">because i don't like to sit still.....i have moved my blog <a href="http://www.jennwestfall.com/blog">HERE</a>! it has a lovely <span style="font-style: italic;">new</span> home in my <a href="http://jennwestfall.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">new website</span></a>. i even have a fabulous new template. i am very very excited about it all :O) i hope you will come and visit me.....</span><br /></div>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-9365697174818356282007-09-17T20:37:00.000-07:002007-09-17T20:37:49.353-07:00the big FIVE-Owell here i am at my 50th post and it seems like i crawled my way to this point. i know lots of people post "100 things about me" for the hundredth but i have not seen anything for a fiftieth....so i thought that i would write a bit about why i am blogging in the first place.....it'll be good for me since on most days i am not quite sure myself!!<br /><br />i have always kept a journal. it has always been a good way to acknowledge and sort out my feelings. i have a very special talent for banishing my emotions to oblivion only to find that they come back and ambush me at full force whenever i don't expect it. not the best way to go through life especially when your own children are the casualties. ask them, they will tell you point blank how i used to yell at them all the time. i am in no way proud of that behavior but proud that i have found a way to apologize for it and make a change. i still get frustrated with them but i no longer dump on them because of bottled up emotions that have nothing to do with them.<br /><br />so if i have a journal than why this? well, before i started a blog i lurked around cyber space reading what other sisters, moms, daughters, friends, and women had to say and what i found was a source of comfort and support. i call it my cheap therapy. it helps to know you aren't alone. i thought if i was lurking around taking such wonderfulness from others, perhaps i should try to give back. i, in no way, feel like i have talent such that i have seen from others nor do i try to fit into one genre or another. good or bad, perhaps there is another someone out there who might benefit from daily-ness of being me. <br /><br />as i started posting, i realized that writing in this form was such a good reminder to pay attention to the things that i usually forget to remember. in a way, i get to be my own therapist when i take a peak at what i have written. i still keep a journal. there are some things in my life that i still deem to personal for public knowledge but the rest of it is here. <br /><br />my biggest challenge has not been to censor myself beyond the "do i really want any joe smoe to know this?" my sweetie and a few others in my life stop by here now and then. every so often i catch myself wondering what they might think about what i have to say and it makes me a bit shy. that's when i realize that blogging also helps remind me to share more of myself with those i love. maybe this blog is a little window into my world and that just might help build better relationships with those i love. <br /><br />hopefully that will continue as i formally announce and share my blog with some who, i think, have no idea that i have been doing this. i am in the process of importing this blog into my website. it was a gift from my love and i think it is so cool. it is still in it's infancy and so am i in terms of learning how to manage it, but if you want to <a href="http://www.jennwestfall.com">check it out</a>, please do.<br /><br />thanks for stopping by<br />~jennjennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-30020676536181515902007-09-16T21:04:00.000-07:002007-09-16T22:17:47.137-07:00Menu Plan 9/17/07<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Ru39YCKfcSI/AAAAAAAAAHw/77qCLfFIEzI/s1600-h/mpm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Ru39YCKfcSI/AAAAAAAAAHw/77qCLfFIEzI/s200/mpm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111019741474943266" border="0" /> </a><br />It has been too long since I have posted a menu plan. I have been planning but just lacking the time to sit and create a post. This week, my budget is very very slim and so we are back to the good old basics in this house which allow me to get more bang for my buck.<br /><br />Monday: Beans and Eggs w/ tortillas and salsa<br />Tuesday: Mac n Cheese with hot dogs<br />Wednesday: Shake n Bake Pork Chops w/ scalloped potatoes<br />Thursday: Refrigerator Medley (our name for left over night)<br />Friday: my night off<br /><br />Menu planning still helps to save me time and money. For more information on Menu Plan Monday or if you want to play along, visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-menu-plan-theres-really-nothing.html">Laura</a> the Organizing Junkie and join in on the fun!<br /><br />~Jenn<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Jennifer/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-57724908197357637442007-09-13T10:40:00.000-07:002007-09-13T12:47:50.382-07:00i wanna hold your hand....oh the power of holding hands! i have to admit that i love to hold hands but do not often think about why.....until last night.<br /><br />last night i was feeling sad, scared, worried, stupid......all out of sorts. that is until my sweetie came over, sat next to me and held my hand. in that moment, the fortress i had built around myself began to crumble brick by brick. i should mention that i am a very talented brick layer and when it comes to building walls around myself to protect my feelings, i am very skilled indeed. but all it took was just that simple gesture to start bringing me out from behind my wall.<br /><br />thinking about it now, i love holding hands because it is a connection to another that is simple and yet intimate all at once. it is comforting to know that someone is there to laugh with you, dance with you, walk with you, cry with you, or just sit with you. the point is, when someone hold my hand, i am not alone - there is someone there reaching out for me.<br /><br />my sweetie and i hold hands all of the time - sitting, watching tv, walking down the street, in the grocery store, while out to dinner, and even at night as we fall asleep. i am so fortunate to have a man in my life who is so loving, patient and understanding and i am so fortunate to have a man in my life that will hold my hand at all times even when things aren't all that rosy. he is my someone and i love him dearly.jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-88344466116113727722007-09-10T20:46:00.000-07:002007-09-10T21:02:20.984-07:00you know you're loved when<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RuYSE5_i6zI/AAAAAAAAAHo/sdnZHIHCok8/s1600-h/P8160031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RuYSE5_i6zI/AAAAAAAAAHo/sdnZHIHCok8/s200/P8160031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108790702794533682" border="0" /></a><br />your 7 yr old has to take 4 items to school to represent who he is, one of the items he chooses is a picture of just the 2 of you, and he says "this represents me 'cuz you're my mom, you're the best, you're important to me..... and i love you!"<br /><br />if only i could bottle the way that made me feel....jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-2843456149297645262007-09-10T17:18:00.000-07:002007-09-10T18:00:40.200-07:00a note from the doctor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RuXmrZ_i6xI/AAAAAAAAAHc/LeBd_3y7ORo/s1600-h/doctor.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RuXmrZ_i6xI/AAAAAAAAAHc/LeBd_3y7ORo/s200/doctor.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108742985707875090" border="0" /></a><br />I went to my doctor a couple of weeks back to get an all around check-up. I figured it was time since I cannot remember my last physical and I also had some things I wanted to discuss with him. Among these, I wanted to know what is causing the most incredible headaches I have ever experienced in my life!!<br /><br />A few looks in my eyes and ears followed by questions w/ some yes's and no's from me and the doctor gives a what he called a preliminary diagnosis of migraines. I would've much rather he just waved his magic stethoscope and pronounced my headaches <span style="font-style: italic;">Gone Forever</span> - what else are they learning in all those years of medical school if not how to magically make me feel better on demand?!<br /><br />He also ordered at CT scan, "just to check", since I have never experienced headaches like this before. Even though the whole idea of getting my head x-rayed completely freaked me out, I obediently went that appointment the following week.<br /><br />I arrived home today and find a note in the mail from my doctor. It reads "<span style="font-style: italic;">Dear patient, Your CT scan is normal. The headaches are most likely just migraines as we previously discussed. Sincerely, Doctor Man." </span>Um, yeah. I have a couple of problems with that: 1) where is the sympathy for my pain and my lollipop for being such a good patient? 2) '<span style="font-style: italic;">most likely</span>' does not sound like a very sound diagnosis to me, and most importantly, 3) '<span style="font-style: italic;">just migraines</span>' ....WHAT?! Obviously said by someone who has never experienced a migraine before because if you have ever had one you would never ever put the word 'just' in front.<br /><br />These headaches are '<span style="font-style: italic;">just</span>' the most excruciating pain I have felt in my life - outside of labor- but at least I got something really cool at the end of that! These <span style="font-style: italic;">most likely</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">migraines</span> give me nothing but pain, force me to bed, and make me very lonely because in the middle of it all I really do need to be left completely alone to suffer through it - light and sound only make it worse. It is as if the monkeys in my head are using ice picks, sledge hammers, jack hammers, regular hammers, clubs, tooth picks, shovels, hatchets, drills and dynamite to hack their way out of my skull. It looks like my mom was right all these years when she told me I was being thick headed about things because the monkeys have yet to escape!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-39224927346569112332007-09-08T15:59:00.000-07:002007-09-08T16:14:25.284-07:00you only think your house is cleanthat is until you have to move everything for the carpet cleaner.<br /><br /> oh my! i could have let him do it but then i would have turned a whole new shade of red watching him run in fear of the dust bunnies; not to mention the trash that found its way into the depths behind the boys' dressers and the abyss under their bed. i suspected that was how they were choosing to clean their rooms but i was happy living in denial and besides, what i didn't know (for sure) wasn't hurting!<br /><br />needless to say, when those monkeys come home from their dad's they will have many bags to sort through! i may have had to round everything up but there was no way i was going to be the sucker that did all of the cleaning. <br /><br />as a reward for my hard work, i have lovely clean carpets that are missing stains that have been there for <span style="font-style: italic;">years. </span>is it strange that i am missing them a little bit too?jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-74162938262416735402007-09-06T17:16:00.000-07:002007-09-06T22:05:48.094-07:00temper tantrumsoh how glad i am that my monkeys have out grown those!!! i was over at <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/">Rocks In My Dryer</a> and i read <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2007/08/works-for-me-ju.html">this post</a> which brought back a whole lot of memories....<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">ONCE upon a time</span>, there was a beautiful little girl who was the queen of the land of tantrums. she had traveled long and wide gracing many stores, restaurants, family and friends with her all tantrum glory.<br /><br />one day, the queen and her royal subjects (meaning myself and a good friend of mine) were at the park near our castle. when it came time to leave so the queen could get some much needed beauty sleep, the queen did not want to go, she was much too busy being entertained by the rulers of the neighboring king and queendoms. but as all queens know (and as some learn the hard way), being the queen does not always mean that you get what you want. and so, the queen began a lovely (horrendous) display of her royal temper tantrum glory. <br /><br />at this point, i wish i could have thought of something like hosing her down to cool her off but sadly i did not. the tantrum went on long enough to attract the attention of the other kings and queens that day at the park <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> their loyal subjects. have i mentioned my daughter does not look like me?... at all?! <br /><br />me: blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin<br />the queen: black hair, brown eyes and brown skin<br /><br />i spent many years convincing people i was not the sitter or the auntie but the mommie and this day, i didn't have much luck. as my little queen yelled and screamed about not wanting to leave, someone in the park called the calvary thinking that perhaps, i was trying to remove her majesty from her kingdom without permission. <br /><br />the knights arrive, sirens blazing and it just gets worse. i should also mention, the queen is about 2 yrs old and is completely capable of speaking short sentences, understanding the subjects around her and, most important to this story, knows that i am and know how to call me mommie! but for whatever reason (i still think it was completely out of spite and to punish me for ruining her tour of her kingdom) when the nice knight in uniform asked the queen if i was her mommie she said "NO!" <br /><br />well hilarity ensued which included calls to relatives and her dad having to come to the park with a copy of her birth certificate to prove that i really was the queen's royal subject and allowed, by royal decree, to transport her around her kingdom. <br /><br />there must be a fairy godmother out there that puts spells on us moms to allow us to love our little kings and queens no matter what and to laugh off the ways they stretch us to our limits instead of yelling "off with her head!!!" because without my fairy god mother, i would not be able to say<br /><br />and they lived happily ever after...jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-73446980101411402532007-09-05T19:58:00.000-07:002007-09-05T20:18:11.774-07:00pop pop! quiz quiz!<div style="text-align: center;">do you know what time it is?<br />school is back believe it!<br />success you can achieve it! ...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">that little diddy is from my favorite commercial on the tele these days. i laugh every single time i see it! it's the staples "back to school" commercial and if you need a little fix like i do every now and then, you can watch it <a href="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/easybutton/commercials-bts07.html?cm_sp=creative-_-easy%20button-_-commercials-bts07">here</a>. i especially like the dress shoes and socks that the dad has chosen to wear with his cheer leading outfit. <br /><br />all this of course brings me to my post for today. it is finally back to school time for our household! this year the kids are all going to a new school and so they are each excited and nervous all at the same time. wonder how much sleep they will actually get? :O)<br /><br />for my monkeys, waiting for the first day of school is like waiting for christmas - they just can't wait! and i'm not being sarcastic about it! i get excited too but it is still a little sad at times. they will now be spending most of their time away from home and i'm going to miss them! i'll have my pouting face on after i've dropped them off in the morning and as i head to my own school for the day. <br /><br />this year, i must admit, i am looking forward to it as well. it means that we will all be back on a routine and this household always dose better when we get into a grove. things seem to get done more often when we are busy and the procrastination seems to drop off for all of us (me included). i think it is because, we lose the "i can just do that later" excuse.<br /><br />either way, tomorrow will be a mixed emotion, for all of us i am sure, and i doubt i'll get much more sleep then the monkeys will tonight.<br /></div></div>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-71963423653500030792007-09-03T21:01:00.001-07:002007-09-03T22:16:44.438-07:00i forgiveforgiveness. this is something i have been working on recently. in particular, forgiving myself for the past. i have what i think to be a really wonderful life. a wonderful man who loves and supports me, 3 amazing kids who are all healthy and safe, parents who are incredibly supportive and, good friends, a home to live in and food to put on the table....the list could go on and on!<br /><br />and yet there are days (many recently) when the budget is extremely tight and it is hard to get just the daily necessities let alone the little extra things, or when i find that i don't have the time to get all the things around the house done that need to be done or that i would like to do, or when i have to look at my sweet little ones' faces and tell them "not now" because i have school work to finish......on these days my soul is sad. i wonder "what if?..."<br /><br />i'm a young mom. by that i mean i was just a kid myself when my daughter was born, 19 yrs old to be exact. i put off my education to work and help make ends meet and to be what i hoped was a good mom to my lovely little daughter. add a few years and two sons in the mix and i still haven't gone back to school and i am still struggling to make ends meet in a marriage that was anything near stable or happy.<br /><br />i look back on so many decisions i made out of fear and ironically out of trying to make up for past mistakes - those decisions just led to more mistakes. and so i sit here wondering what if i hadn't become a mother so young? what if i found the guts and the day to pursue my education 15 years ago instead of 3 years ago? would i financially independent? would i be able to say yes to my kids more often? would i be less scared of messing up a marriage to a man i truly love and who in everyway is good to me and for me? would i have more faith and confidence as a parent and in myself? who knows?!<br /><br />on the hard days i look back and wish i had done so many things differently. i've been doing that quite a bit lately and then i found <a href="http://www.desperatelyseekingsanity.com/2007/08/30/what-wouldve-been/">this post</a> and found something to hold on to. heather of <a href="http://www.desperatelyseekingsanity.com/">desperately seeking sanity</a> reminded me that i've gotten where i am because of the past - good and bad. and that in the end, it (the past) is irrelevant! what matters is who i am today and where i am going. i have learned a great deal from my mistakes as well as my accomplishments and have overcome many challenges. i am incredibly fortunate enough to have my children and to have found a man who i am so proud to call my love and if having them means having to have accept the bumps that have come along with the journey then so be it!<br /><br />hopefully, i'll continue to learn how to hold on to that thought and learn to let myself off the hook - after all, i know how to do that for others, why don't i derserve the benefit of the doubt as well<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-73787715166119101802007-09-02T11:31:00.000-07:002007-09-02T11:39:53.816-07:00a little anecdotewhile on vacation my 7 year old announces that he needs to "water a bush". we are no where near a town and pretty much in the middle of nowhere. my dad finds a road that runs by a creek bed.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nana</span>: look at all the bushes you have to choose from!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Me</span>: (in a very teasing tone) which one will you choose?!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The little monkey</span>: (very matter of factly) a non see-thru one, please.<br /><br />works for me :O)jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-14448831862843575712007-09-01T22:54:00.001-07:002007-09-02T09:58:33.459-07:00road less traveled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RtpQTJ_i6wI/AAAAAAAAAHU/YHRQzgMjRvU/s1600-h/P8170003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 212px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RtpQTJ_i6wI/AAAAAAAAAHU/YHRQzgMjRvU/s320/P8170003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105481417608063746" border="0" /></a><br />i took a trip recently to utah with my parents and my children. very early one morning, i found myself on this road at sunrise. as the sun made it's way over the distant mountains, the following came to mind:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><b>ROAD LESS TRAVELED<br />by Robert Frost<br /></b></span><br /><b> <span style="font-size:85%;"> Two roads diverged in a yellow wood</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And sorry I could not travel both</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And be one traveler, long I stood</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And looked down one as far as I could</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> To where it bent in the undergrowth</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Then took the other as just as fair</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And having perhaps the better claim</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Because it was grassy and wanted wear</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Though as for that, the passing there</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Had worn them really about the same</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And both that morning equally lay</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> In leaves no step had trodden black</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Oh, I kept the first for another day!</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Yet, knowing how way leads onto way</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> I doubted if I should ever come back</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> I shall be telling this with a sigh</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Somewhere ages and ages hence</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> Two roads diverged in a wood</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And I took the one less traveled by</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> And that has made all the difference<br /></span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">this poem has always spoken to my soul since the day i first read it over 20 yrs ago. as i stood in the middle of the road, listening to the silence that surrounded me and taken in the beauty of a world that i don't take the opportunity to admire often enough, i contemplated the road before me and the many roads i have traveled in my life.<br /><br />to a great extent, i haven purposefully chosen the road less traveled. sometimes it was for the adventure. at others, it was just to be different. and at times, i choose it out of fear of the what lay waiting for me around the corner of the road most others were going down. these have been the most profound journeys in my life and that morning and every day since, i have contemplated the roads i have taken and realize that the choices i have made, truly have made all of the difference.<br /><br />however, while i am grateful for where i am in my life today, and i understand that i got here by the choices i have made in the past, i am having a hard time dealing with certain roads i chose to travel and find myself having a hard time forgiving myself for some of those choices...<br /></div><b></b><b><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></b><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> <br /></div></div>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-91984481190445878472007-06-12T22:14:00.000-07:002007-06-12T22:42:15.530-07:00saying goodbyei have never dealt with death well in my life. today is no different - i still cannot really handle the reality of a life coming to an end. i am hoping writing will allow me to get through what i cannot say in words.<br /><br />my neighbor, Mr. Stone, passed away because he suffered on stroke during heart surgery. he was 82 years old. and he was an amazing man. i am so sad to know that he will no longer be part of our lives. i cannot even express how i feel.<br /><br />married with 2 children and 4 grandchildren, Mr. Stone always had a smile, kind words and a hug for me. he proudly served in WWII and always had a story to tell. he collected aluminum cans and plastic recyclable bottles from the neighbors to earn money for a scholarship fund. until very recently, he would come over often to kick the ball around in the front yard with my kids and tell them how big they were getting, ask how they were doing in school, say how proud he was when they said they were doing well and tell them how lucky they were to have me for a mom. he constantly told me how proud he was of me for going back to school and the way i was raising the kids.<br /><br />he leaves behind his wife, children, grandchildren, many friends and neighbors like myself who will greatly greatly miss him. goodbye Mr. Stone. i hope you knew how much you were lovedjennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-31793539386344116232007-06-02T23:02:00.000-07:002007-06-02T23:59:59.119-07:00it's been a long long weekit started out fabulous: my sweetie and i packed up our monkeys and headed out to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona for the Memorial Day weekend. the drive is long about 12 hours but the kids are great travelers and even without a DVD player to keep them entertained we made it there without whining, crying, or arguing! i love those kids and are so proud of them when they figure out ways to get along. the best part of the trip besides it being our first family vacation together was that we were able to make the trip with my sweethearts parents and brother.<br /><br />the weekend was amazing! it is just incredible beautiful out there in the desert, away from the noise, traffic, and congestion of the city. the weather was perfect and the chance to just get away from the business of my everyday life was truly a blessing. i appreciated the extra time with my love and with the monkeys and the chance to get to meet my new family! everyone was so welcoming and incredibly generous, i felt truly welcomed and honored to be part of such a loving family.<br /><br />so where does the long part of the week come in? monday, early afternoon. we were on our way home. still in arizona and headed to laughlin for the night when my cell phone rang. it was my mom and she began the call with the words "i'm afraid i'm not calling with very good news." my heart just dropped. my grandmother had taken a terrible fall during the night, was in the hospital, non responsive and the prognosis from the doctors was that she very well may not make it thru the night. and i am about 10 hours away from home! <br /><br />instead of driving to laughlin for the night and getting home on tuesday we just drove straight home. i didn't really even have to ask jerry or explain to him that i wanted to come home early. he just asked me once what i wanted, i asked 'can we go home?' he said yes, spoke to his parents briefly and we were on our way! i am so thankful for his understanding and willingness to support me and the kids and so thankful for his love. i am thankful for the understanding, love and support of his family as well. although we were all sad to have our play time together cut short, they all just wanted me to let me come home to my family. i won't ever be able to put into words properly what that meant to me.<br /><br />we arrived home late monday night and i was able to get to my parents tueday morning. i had tried to call but was unable to get a hold of anyone and so i was terrified of what the news would be. i arrive at the hospital at 11 to find my mother with my grandma. she was doing better than the previous day and while although still detached from reality, she was having moments of clarity. she was extremely weak and coming in and out of consciousness. since she had no broken bones or serious injuries from her fall, the doctor's were looking to send her to a rehab facility to hopefully get her back in her wheelchair and back to her own apartment. i spent the rest of that day with my mom, gathering things for my grandmother and looking at local rehab nursing facilities. we found one in town, just a few blocks from my home in fact. <br /><br />i returned to school on wednesday but have spent most of my free day time with my grandmother and helping my mom with arrangements and continuing to take care of arrangements for my grandmother. we have cleaned the floors in her apartment and cleaned out the fridge and gathered clothing items for her to wear in the rehab facility. in between i have tried to read and study for my summer classes, hug my kids and spend time with jerr. it's been hard and overwhelming.<br /><br />mostly, my heart hurts to see my grandmother compromised, in pain, scared, and mentally unstable. i do not know how well she will recover from her fall and if she will be able to return home nor if she will even be with us much longer. while she is making some progress, she is not at the same time. she is currently not eating and has only gotten out of bed and into her chair once this week no matter how much coaxing and in some cases, pleading, has been done. i will be forever grateful to have the moments of her mental clarity to let her know how much she means to me and how many valuable life lessons she has taught me. <br /><br />for now, i will end with the most significant advice she gave me during a particularly rough time in my life. i will never forget her words and i think of them each day:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />faith, hope, strength and love<br />have faith in yourself and in god<br />keep hope that things will be as they should be<br /> be strong and believe in your strength<br /> always love with all your heart and know you are loved that way in return.<br /></div>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-91551323495331420922007-05-22T20:08:00.000-07:002007-05-22T22:25:54.932-07:00a plate too full<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RlO1Rr-8LII/AAAAAAAAAEc/6Vy0aFtlGyg/s1600-h/school_books.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RlO1Rr-8LII/AAAAAAAAAEc/6Vy0aFtlGyg/s320/school_books.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067593321191058562" border="0" /></a><br />it has been way too long since i have been able to sit down and just write. the main reason being i started summer classes. i was really excited to take a summer English course. i was all signed up only to learn, last minute, it was going to be canceled due to low enrollment. i chose a different course and had to figure out after school and summer childcare. then i learned the class, which i thought was 12 weeks long, is only 6 weeks long! not that big of a deal - it means a lot more work because it condenses 15 weeks of instruction into just 6, but it also means i still get a summer vacation. i figure it is a decent payoff. except for just one little thing.......and this is where i always begin to seriously doubt my logic.......i thought it would be a great idea to sign up for a 2nd summer class and chose to take my last required semester of spanish. so now i am cramming another class into an already ridiculous 6 week schedule.<br /><br />so for the last week all i have done is school work. i have been able to cook dinner and help with kids homework but that is about it. i have new curtains that need to be hemmed still pinned hanging in my bedroom, piles of clutter that need to cleared, floors that need to be swept and vacuumed, a shelving unit that needs to be completed for my boys room, dogs that need to be walked, kids that need to be played with and a sweetie that needs some serious cuddle time, not to mention the pile of books waiting to be read 'just for fun' and this blog that needs some serious love as well.<br /><br />i get a bit overwhelmed when i think about the next 5 weeks and the 9 short novels and the language i should be close to mastering by the end of it all, but i still believe the hard work will be worth it! it is only 6 weeks and then i will have a whole 5 weeks off until the fall semester starts. i figure i am getting the best of both, knocking off 2 more required courses and still getting the majority of the summer to do nothing but relax and play with my family (ok ok, i know the dishes and the cleaning and the clutter and the pups will still be there but let a girl live in the bliss of denial just for a bit...) until next time which hopefully won't be another week from today - take care of yourselves and get an extra hug from someone...it'll make you both feel better :O)jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-81561289923012406542007-05-13T22:04:00.000-07:002007-05-13T22:04:05.815-07:00menu plan 5/14/07<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/2007/05/menu-plan-monday-may-14th.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkZQva6a1tI/AAAAAAAAAEM/jFSX6C1QSCE/s320/menuplan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063823606633125586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Happy Monday Everyone! I hope all you fabulous mom's had a wonderful Mother's Day! Menu planning has not only saved me a bunch of time and whining about going to the store AGAIN?! but it has also saved me a bunch of cash! I didn't quite believe it and thought maybe it was just a fluke the first week but then I took the time to go over my bank statement and realized I am saving money by only going to the store once a week! BONUS! I am sure it is because when I am dashing to the store while frazzled, I have been buying things that I don't need or that I already have on hand. Besides that, I am usually going to the store when I am hungry and that is just a seriously bad idea :O)<br /><br />We had a winner last week with <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/tamale-casserole.html">Tamale Casserole</a> - not much of a surprise, it is always a favorite in this house. The kids actually cheered when they heard it was on the menu. The <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_36571,00.html?rsrc=search">Split Pea Soup w/ chorizo</a> was a new dish in this house and it was OK but it was a bit thin. I would suggest cutting the liquid down to help thicken it up a bit. Here is what is on the menu this week.<br /><br />Monday - leftovers from the fabulously yummy Mother's Day Dinner w/ my folks<br />Tuesday - <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/navajo-tacos.html">Navajo Tacos</a><br />Wednesday -<a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/bbq-ribs-w-potato-salad.html">BBQ Spare Ribs w/ potato salad</a><br />Thursday - Refrigerator Medley<br />Friday - Boboli Pizza (movie night)<br />Saturday - <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/chicken-enchiladas.html">Chicken Enchiladas</a><br />Sunday - <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/baked-pasta-well-sort-of.html">Baked Pasta (well sort of)<br /></a><br />Happy Monday to you all and for more menu ideas or to join in, visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/">Laura the Organizing Junkie</a>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-56961308947818957382007-05-12T12:40:00.000-07:002007-05-12T13:21:14.776-07:00SMART Habits - week 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://laragallagher.com/blog/2007/05/smart-habit-saturday_11.html"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkYYpK6a1sI/AAAAAAAAAEE/X8ojw0nx3lo/s200/SMART.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063761926607787714" border="0" /></a>Another Saturday......another habit! I'm beginning to think that I should add SMART Habits Saturday to my new habits list!<br /><br />Last week, I set out to <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/smart-habits-week-2.html">drink more water</a>. I definitely need to keep working on that one! I did better in that I drank A LOT less Diet Coke this week than I usually do but half of the days, I fell short of my 64 oz of water goal. On those days, I drank only 32 oz of water. I'm not getting down on myself because I have made progress and I know I will keep working on it. I did learn a couple of interesting things this week: 1) the more water I drink, the more I crave water, and 2) I drink DC every time I crave something sweet, which unfortunately for me is ALL OF THE TIME! So this week, I will work on finding a healthier substitute for satisfying my sweet tooth. I am thinking along the lines of Crystal Light of a piece of fruit or maybe a diet flavored iced tea. Hopefully those will work. Any other suggestions?<br /><br />I am also going to add the habit of walking at least 3 days each week. The pups could use the exercise too and it would be a fun way to spend time with my monkeys and my sweetie too! We live in a great neighborhood and so close to a nature preserve which is a wonderful place to explore. Along with the weather being so fabulous at the moment, I really don't have any excuses for not doing so. <br /><br />Happy trails for me and for you too! :o)jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-30111674104567419962007-05-10T21:12:00.000-07:002007-05-10T21:58:54.237-07:00Book Reiew "Black Like Me"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Like-John-Howard-Griffin/dp/0451208641/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-5566737-6584123?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178856797&sr=8-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkPvLa6a1rI/AAAAAAAAAD8/PpkryhMVBwE/s320/book.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063153385576519346" border="0" /></a>I just finished reading "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin. It was recommended to me by my English Lit professor during the fall semester. I wish I had gotten to it sooner!<br /><br />This book was amazing. It was also very very sad. John Griffin a white reporter who sets out to discover what it would be like to live in the south as a black man. He finds a doctor who gives him medication and cream that allows him to change the color of his skin. Once that happened, he began his journey and immersed himself in the deep South.<br /><br />This book is a record of his experience. What amazes me the most about his story is the fact that it occurred just 40 years ago. His journey began just before the Civil rights movement began. It is a sad story because while it is obvious that some progress has been made in terms of discrimination, there is so much that is still the same. Perhaps it has not been long enough for things to be different but that sounds like a really lame excuse to me.<br /><br />It makes me sad because there are still so many negative thoughts and actions that I need to protect my children from. I appreciate this book because it is a reminder of the lessons I still need to teach my children and a reminder of why those lessons need to be taught. My hope is that my children will be the beginning of the generation that will teach society about tolerance, acceptance, and understanding.<br /><br />I do highly recommend this book. It is a great insight into the history of mistaken ideas about race and the ways in which those ideas have (and continue) to manifest themselves in today's society. In fact I will be giving it to my daughter to read. She is thirteen and while this book does mention a few 'adult' ideas, they are not something that we have not discussed before.jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-61003929336902322902007-05-09T11:35:00.000-07:002007-05-09T12:07:06.416-07:00summer to do listLet me tell you one thing I need to do all of the time is make a to do list! I make one almost everyday so that I won't forget all of the things that I need/should/want to do. I swear I would get nothing done without them! However, I never make a list for the fun stuff - I just never thought of it....until today.......ok, ok, I didn't think of it, the lovely Angelena over at <a href="http://countrylifejourney.typepad.com/country_life/">Country Life</a> did!!! She linked it up on <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2007/05/works_for_me_or.html">WFMW</a> and I was lucky enough to stumble upon it. <br /><br />Since I am just a fan of lists and a fan of fun, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to make a summer to do list and put the two together. I won't be able to sign the kids up for a summer program this year because of cost and because drop off/pick up times don't work with my school schedule. Sooooooo, they will be home with me as their source of entertainment and that just won't work! for many many reasons!!!!! <br /><br />Here is the Summer Fun list so far<br /><br />beach on fridays<br />swimming @ sierra madre pool<br />picnic @ the arboretum<br />walk the dogs<br />go to the park<br />bowling<br />movies - at the theater and on the couch<br />water fight<br />eaton canyon<br />bake cookies/cupcakes/cakes<br />homemade popsicles<br />cook/eat in the back yard<br /><br />Sp exciting to know that we won't have to sit home and wonder over and over again what we should do today.....the kids are gonna love it and so am I! Need ideas or have a list of your own - <a href="http://countrylifejourney.typepad.com/country_life/2007/05/summertime_play.html">head on over and join in!</a>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-89398131161372984652007-05-09T10:58:00.000-07:002007-05-09T11:13:22.630-07:00Works for Me! Cereal Containers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2007/05/works_for_me_or.html"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkIL5q6a1oI/AAAAAAAAADk/vEb7p9vcssA/s200/wfmwheader_16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062622016517625474" border="0" /></a><br />I just don't know where the time is going - It cannot possibly be Wednesday again already!!! <br /><br />What works for me today are <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=74063&PRODID=60185&searchId=8715854&itemIndex=24">these</a> nifty cereal containers. I got them a few months ago and they have been a huge help. I got tired of constantly heading to the kitchen for breakfast, grabbing a bowl, reaching for a box of cereal, pouring and realizing there is only about 2 bites left!!!!<br /><br />Well, no more! not sense we got the containers. They live on top of the fridge and all can see how much is left. This way there are not disappointments in the morning and, miraculously, there are no more 2 bite left overs either! They hold a large box or 2 smaller boxes of cereal which saves space and it makes knowing if cereal needs to be added to the shopping list easier too!<br /><br />Head on over to Rocks in my Dryer for other Works for me tips and ideas. There is some really good stuff over there!jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-76921771921880353182007-05-08T17:09:00.001-07:002007-05-08T20:19:00.382-07:00Tackle It Tuesday #2<div style="text-align: center;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/blogging/meme/tackle-it-tuesday/"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/tackle.gif" alt="Tackle It Tuesday Meme" title="Tackle It Tuesday Meme" /></a><br /></div><center><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This week was short but sweet! I tackled dining room shelves. I wasn't going to participate this week since I took my last 2 finals of the semester today but I really really really need to tackle quite a few projects (and lovely 'little' clutter piles) in the next week. That is all the time off I get before summer session starts. NO FAIR! On top of that, I am the worlds best procrastinator and excuse maker upper and I would desperately like to change those things. Therefore, I hit the shelves with a vengeance and I am very happy I did. Not a lot of work brought a big sense of calm to a the very chaotic world I am currently living in.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I turned this:<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkETqK6a1mI/AAAAAAAAADU/8SX9O1THEh4/s1600-h/P1240097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkETqK6a1mI/AAAAAAAAADU/8SX9O1THEh4/s200/P1240097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062349071345964642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Into this:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkEUZ66a1nI/AAAAAAAAADc/U1dle2KuDLU/s1600-h/P1240098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RkEUZ66a1nI/AAAAAAAAADc/U1dle2KuDLU/s200/P1240098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062349891684718194" border="0" /></a><br />I took the dictionaries/encyclopedias and extra folders to the empty shelves in the boys room that came into existence <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2324599331439996373&postID=757391295255632137">last week</a>, put the cook books and recipe collection in the kitchen (makes much better sense for them to live there), removed the once blooming tulip bulbs now turned 'science experiment', and gave the shelves a good washing and voila.....a have a new clutter free area. In the process I found home for my lovely serving bowls -not bad for 15 minutes. Now for my next trick, I'll keep it that way!<br /><br /></div></center>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-67853176125490035742007-05-08T08:50:00.000-07:002007-05-08T15:57:34.396-07:00Randomness (i think i just made up that word)I've been tagged!!!! Didn't you hear me call times?!? :O)<br /><br />Heather over at <a href="http://www.desperatelyseekingsanity.com/2007/05/08/random-facts-about-me/">Desperately Seeking Sanity</a> has tagged me w/ the 7 random things meme. The rules are easy: Each player writes seven random facts about themselves. People who are tagged write on their own blog about the seven things and the rules and then choose seven others to tag and list their names. Leave a comment for the ones you tag to let them know and send them to your own blog.<br /><br />Now that the official stuff is out of the way - here is the fun stuff<br /><br />#1 - My hair is naturally blond but for some strange reason a few years back I decided to that it wasn't blond enough and so I decided to go with the bleach blond look. Bad enough but I made it worse! Shortly after bleaching my hair I decided to go with a brown/red color. The only part of that dye job that stuck was the red and I ended up with bright red streaks in my bleach blond hair. Oh yeah - I looked cool!<br /><br />#2- I am currently an English major studying to become a teacher but I secretly want to be a social worker but just not sure that I can handle the emotions.<br /><br />#3 - I am the most disorganized perfectionist you will ever meet. My clutter lives in neat little piles all over the place!<br /><br />#4 - I'm scared of the dark. Always have been and probably always will be - one reason I had an alarm system installed in my home<br /><br />#5 - I am currently obsessed with books (that obsession will never go away), shoes (specifically flip flops and sandals), handbags (doesn't matter as long as it's cute!).......and sun dresses (refer back to handbags!)<br /><br />#6 - When I was pregnant with my fist child, I really really really wanted a boy because I was terrified to have a daughter - I just knew I wouldn't be a good mother to a little girl. I fell in love with my daughter the minute I laid my eyes on her and fall in love with her for new reasons every day. I still have moments when I'm terrified that I'm not a good mother to her<br /><br />#7 - While writing this post, I am enjoying a root beer float and watching soap operas because it is something that I rarely do, I finished my finals and therefore my first full year at USC today, I have an incredible sweet tooth, I just happened to have the supplies on hand, and gosh darn it - I deserve it and I can!<br /><br />Now that I am it.... I tag<br /><br />1) Megan over at <a href="http://www.jumpingmonkeys.com/jumpingmonkeys/">Jumping Monkeys</a><br />2) <a href="http://anordinarymom.wordpress.com/">An Ordinary Mom</a> -<br />3) Lara, <a href="http://www.laragallagher.com/blog/">The Lazy Organizer</a> -<br />4) Shannon over at <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/">Rocks in My Dryer</a> <br />5) <a href="http://loveolamb.blogspot.com/">Life as a Mama</a><br />6&7) others that i would have put here have already been tagged! is that cheating?<br /><br />Have a fabulous day!jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-71866143162483351642007-05-07T10:16:00.000-07:002007-05-07T14:51:59.531-07:00menu plan - 5/7/2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rj9fkK6a1lI/AAAAAAAAADM/voGzH7leUcg/s1600-h/menuplan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rj9fkK6a1lI/AAAAAAAAADM/voGzH7leUcg/s320/menuplan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061869581197039186" border="0" /></a><br />Well. I didn't get to my menu planning by Sunday as I set out to. However, I did get to it today and since I have the day off from school (finals week) and the kids will be with their dad this afternoon, I will have plenty of time to get my shopping done!<br /><br />I must admit that menu planning has really helped out and given me a lot of extra time around the house and with the kids. It is lovely not to have to scramble last minute everyday and figure out what to cook with what's on hand or running to the store to grab ingredients. Besides, it gives me more time to play with my monkeys and finally make progress on projects that have been piling up around the house. Here is what we have on deck for this week!<br /><br />Monday: left over spaghetti from last night<br />Tuesday: <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_36571,00.html?rsrc=search">Split Pea Soup w/ Chorizo</a><br />Wednesday: <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/tamale-casserole.html">Tamale Casserole</a><br />Thursday: Refrigerator Medley<br />Friday: kids w/ dad for weekend and date night w/ my sweetie<br />Saturday: <a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/05/pad-thai.html">Pad Thai</a><br />Sunday: Mother's Day = I get the night off - yippie :O)<br /><br />I feel like I'm cheating a bit by having leftovers 2 nights this week but I need to save on the grocery budget and I just can't stand throwing out food at the end of the week. So, leftovers it is!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Have a fabulous week fellow planners and if you want to join in, visit <a href="http://orgjunkie.blogspot.com/">Laura the Organizing Junkie!</a><br /><br /></span></span>*<span style="font-size:85%;">I'll post these recipes by the end of day - check back for the added links!</span>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-40248093280667796262007-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:002007-05-05T08:07:13.136-07:00SMART Habits - week 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rjvj3K6a1hI/AAAAAAAAACs/7rXkfMBUnII/s1600-h/water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rjvj3K6a1hI/AAAAAAAAACs/7rXkfMBUnII/s200/water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060889143242577426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://nutrition.about.com/library/blwatercalculator.htm"><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:197.25pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\jenn\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="MPj04073200000[1]"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->Are you drinking enough water?</span></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> My answer is a resounding NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I took the little quiz on the link above and learned that today - based on my weight, physical activity, local climate, etc. - I am to drink approximately 2.3 liters of water each day. How much water do I usually have you ask? Well let me see.........ok and then add that.........and add that.....carry over and the grand total is a big fat ZERO! Oh, but let me tell you how much Diet Coke I had yesterday<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RjvmP66a1iI/AAAAAAAAAC0/CzFHOhchX4c/s1600-h/P1200065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RjvmP66a1iI/AAAAAAAAAC0/CzFHOhchX4c/s200/P1200065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060891767467595298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Let's see that's 5 12</span><span style="font-size:130%;">oz cans, plus 2 20</span><span style="font-size:130%;">oz bottles, plus a 32</span><span style="font-size:130%;">oz drink while I was helping my friend move and that adds up to...... 132! I am <span style="font-style: italic;">completely</span> addicted to Diet Coke and I do not use that word lightly. I know its bad for me, I really do, and I know that I need to be drinking more water (a whole lot more) but there is a HUGE disconnect between knowing and doing in my world. However, recent health concerns (and a good talking to my best friend yesterday) have me thinking that I really need to take my health and what I put into my body more seriously and so I believe I have some good motivation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rjvqd66a1jI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Gry59cHjgfw/s1600-h/SMART.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 188px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rjvqd66a1jI/AAAAAAAAAC8/Gry59cHjgfw/s200/SMART.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060896406032274994" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <br />Needless to say, my SMART Habit for this week is to drink water. I'm gonna jump right in and go with the ever popular 8 glasses of water a day. I bought myself a handy dandy 32oz travel water bottle. Its a cute pinky purple color so I will want to take it with me and I only have to fill and drink it twice to get my 64oz in! Sounds simple enough to me and yet, I am not so sure. What about my Diet Coke!?!<br /><br />Well, I know that I cannot cut it out completely, I just don't have the will power. Therefore, I am going to allow myself to have it but within a few guidelines. I will not have a DC until after I have had 32oz of water. I figure, after having all that water, I won't really be thirsty and so maybe, just maybe, I won't want the DC so badly. I know I need to take caffine withdrawl into consideration but perhaps a nice cup of tea or even coffee to start my day will get me through? If not, I know that the suffering will only last a couple of days, I will get through it, and I will be much better for having made the change.<br /><br />Last week my chosen habit was to plan my dinner menu for the week and have the shopping done by the end of day Sunday. I did great last week but ACK! just realized that my weekend is really booked!!! Now, I am not so sure I'll get the planning and the shopping done by Sunday night. Perhaps planning the menu should happen midweek......before the busy weekend.........yeah that might just be a good idea.<br /><br />Thanks for reading! Wish me luck and <a href="http://www.laragallagher.com/blog/">get in on the fun</a>!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style=""><!--[endif]--></span></div>jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2324599331439996373.post-46589417745481150732007-05-03T21:47:00.000-07:002007-05-04T18:40:52.521-07:00we've made the switch!<a href="http://icalltimes.blogspot.com/2007/04/paper-or-not-to-paper-that-is-question.html">Paper or not to paper?</a> that was my question<br /><br />I finally made the decision. After too many middle of the night washing sessions and too many days of extremely dry hands and too many weeks spent obsessing over this issue and who knows how many countless hours lost in front of the sink, I finally switched to paper plates and bowls! I was able to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chinet-Dessert-Paper-Plates-White/dp/B0006M67AE/ref=sr_1_2/102-5566737-6584123?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&amp;amp;amp;qid=1178254197&sr=8-2">these</a> paper plates made from recycled materials AND they are biodegradable AND they can be recycled again!!! YAY!!! Better yet, I found them at my friendly neighborhood grocery store! Now I am sitting here thinking "Why didn't I do this earlier?"<br /><br />All of that takes away my guilt of using more trees just so I wouldn't have to wash the dishes. But wait there's more....while I was in line, I noticed that the store was selling reusable grocery bags and they only cost $1.oo each. Most reusable bags are like the regular plastic grocery bags (no support on the bottom) but these are more like the paper ones. They have sturdy plastic inserts that can be laid in the bottom for support and be taken out in case I wish to wash my lovely new bags. Oh and the handles are super convenient too - sturdy enough to stand up to the job and long enough to be thrown over a shoulder! How very thoughtful of them! Let's hear it for Albertsons!!!<br /><br />Just because I am currently so in love with my new grocery bags, here is a pic so you can love them too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RjvfX66a1fI/AAAAAAAAACc/0bofAGLLq-w/s1600-h/P1200064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/RjvfX66a1fI/AAAAAAAAACc/0bofAGLLq-w/s200/P1200064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060884208325154290" border="0" /></a><br />Of course, I will now be saying goodbye to my lovely plates. They won't be gone forever and will still live in my cupboards and come out for special occasions, guests, or on a day when I need some cheering up - I love my dishes, they make me smile<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rjvfya6a1gI/AAAAAAAAACk/iqQpNqZ_ncM/s1600-h/P1200063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8q_Os2GoR0g/Rjvfya6a1gI/AAAAAAAAACk/iqQpNqZ_ncM/s200/P1200063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060884663591687682" border="0" /></a><br />see, aren't they fabulous?!? I will miss them but I will not miss the water bill or the dry hands or going to bed later because I have to finish up the dishes first or........I'll still have to wash the pots and the silverware but aaaahhhhhhh - i'm already relaxing. (and already have a growing list of things that can be done in my newly found free time!)jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897230854263065859noreply@blogger.com0