Menu Plan Monday

Here is what we will be eating this week:

MONDAY: Hot Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches, grapes, carrots

TUESDAY: Tuna Helper and peas (for Rebecca and Bill), leftovers for me :)

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti with meat sauce (made with hamburger, tomato sauce, green pepper and onion)

THURSDAY: Chicken nuggets, french fries, mixed veggies

FRIDAY: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and tomato soup

SATURDAY: Breakfast for dinner (eggs, toast, bacon) or Leftovers

SUNDAY: Clean out the fridge night

For other menu plans please visit: http://orgjunkie.com/

Lent 2009

So this year, Bill and I have both decided to give up something for Lent. Neither of us are religious by any means, even though I was raised Catholic and he was raised Lutheran. Sometimes I wonder why I got away from going to church, etc. I really don't know and I know there are times I feel guilty for it...

Anyways, for Lent Bill and I are giving up....

Eating fast food!

This will be tough for us as we eat out at a fast food place at least once a week, usually 2 times or more. I know it is a really bad habit so we are using this to stop that.

Also I am giving up chocolate. I am going to need strength for this one! Bill is also giving up taping things off tv (his hobby).

What is your family giving up?

My Darling Daughter Rebecca

She wanted to have her picture taken (for once!). Isn't she adorable?

Cleaning and perfectionism

Okay so I am a perfectionist...which is probably why I have a hard time getting things done right away because I want them done a certain way. Well since we have lived in our townhouse, I have decided that perfectionism and cleaning DO NOT MIX!!! I have been trying to follow FLYLADY (http://www.flylady.com/), however I don't do all of it because that would make me try to do it perfectly. I don't have the time or the energy most days to do things perfectly. You know what that is okay.

What I do do is bless my family with daily cleaning and not worrying about whether I got that last dust bunny or the tiny miniscule crumb off the floor. Now mind you I don't like messes, but if we were not in the kitchen all day I am not going to sweep and swiffer the floor in there.

CLEANING THE KITCHEN IN 20 MINUTES OR LESS!

I had a friend who wanted to know how I could clean my kitchen after dinner in less than 20 minutes. This is how I do it: while I am cooking I have soapy hot water in the sink and I do dishes as I go. I also wipe up spills on the counter or stove right after they happen. Usually after dinner is over all I have to wash is Rebecca's plate (ours go in the dishwasher) and the pots and pans. I then wipe out the sink, wipe off the counter and stove, wipe off the table (especially important with a 2 year old eating there! lol) and then I do a spot sweep of the floor. This can all be done in under 20 minutes. I do not have a lot of counter space in my kitchen, so my kitchen only has what is absolutely neccessary. Take a look:

This is the view from by the sink.

This is the view from the entrance to the kitchen.

The view from the other side of the kitchen...My one lone counter top!

RIP Grandma Ella

Today our family buried my Grandma Ella. She was 78 years old. Grandma Ella was a stubborn woman who wanted things her way and she lived a very simple life. She hated excess. While I didn't agree with a lot of things that she did or stances that she took, she was my grandmother. Grandma Ella loved children and gardening and her favorite color was purple. I am taking this blog post to remember her. I love you and miss you. May you Rest in Peace!

Menu Plan Monday

MENU for Week of February 23- March 1

Monday: chicken nuggets, carrots, strawberries

Tuesday: baked pork chops (new recipe), stuffing, green beans

Wednesday: lemon and herb marinated chicken, steamed mixed veggies, french fries

Thursday: lasagna soup and grilled cheese

Friday: baked fish, mac and cheese and corn

Saturday: pizza

Sunday: leftovers

Menu Plan Monday

This weeks menu:

MONDAY: for Rachel: leftover chili, for Rebecca: leftover spaghettios

TUESDAY: grilled chicken, stuffing, and corn

WEDNESDAY: baked fish and green beans

THURSDAY: chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese

FRIDAY: leftovers

SATURDAY: hot dogs and baked beans

SUNDAY: Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot

The Homemaker's Day Book

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW: It is dark out now. It was a partly sunny day with no rain or snow! It made me hope Spring is around the corner.

I AM THINKING: about my husband who is at work and has been working really long hours lately.

I AM THANKFUL FOR: my husband who puts up with me and my moods. He loves me even though I might be anxious and stressed and depressed 99% of the time. He is a great man.

FROM THE KITCHEN: tonight for dinner I made manwich, peas and cut up a cucumber for Rebecca and I.

I AM WEARING: red t-shirt, grey sweat pants and white socks

I AM LISTENING: to the theme song for Dora the Explorer.

I AM CREATING: ideas for menus for this week.

I AM GOING: to try hard not to go anywhere this week to save money since we had to get a new computer.

I AM HOPING: that the pain in my chest goes away soon.

AROUND THE HOUSE: I have cleaned the kitchen and am doing laundry.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS: is cuddling with Rebecca on the couch, watching cartoons

A FEW PLANS FOR THE WEEK: catch up on cleaning and laundry, take pics and post more things on CL.

Bettering myself:

Well today I had another day at home-- couldn't get the car out. There is ice under the tires...we tried for 45 minutes and it was a no go. Ugg. I hate Ohio weather. The good news is I got a ton done in the house and that makes me feel good! I did some decluttering in toys and dressers and I cleaned the bathroom and did a ton more stuff. It feels so good to be productive. I feel better about myself when I am productive.

Dinner Tale:

I made Rebecca Dora spaghettios and she gobbled them up...

I made myself 2 scrambled eggs, toast, cantalope, and apple juice.

New format---update, FTJ, better me, and dinner tale

Well I have been home for the last 3 days...because of snow and ice! That means that I haven't spent any money...YAY! Although I am sick and tired of snow and ice. I spent 45 minutes yesterday and another 45 minutes today getting the ice off the windows of the car...eek...I will see if I have to go in to Shanna's tomorrow. If I do, Bill can get the car out of it's space. There have been so many people getting stuck, it is not funny. My arms will probably really hurt tomorrow...

Forget the Joneses: Day 26-29

Day 26: DeClutter...I am trying to do this for the FlyLady Super Fling Boogie, but it is tough. Will continue to try

Day 27-28: Organize...trying to do this a little at a time.

Day 29: build an emergency fund--- we are trying to follow Dave Ramsey and have built up to $1000. Now we are focusing on paying down debt....

Bettering myself: Okay so I have decided that starting now and going through the month of February, I am going to start a gratitude journal. I will write down 5 things each day that I am thankful for. The purpose of this is to change my negative attitude towards a lot of things.

Dinner Tale: Quick and easy

baked chicken tenderloins with bread crumb coating
corn and green beans
Rebecca would not eat the chicken, but she gobbled up the green beans and corn.....picky child!

Sunday's dinner

So Bill had to work tonight and so that meant the challenge of making dinner for Rebecca and I....so what I came up with was.....

Chicken Parmesan

I baked 2 Tyson chicken patties. Then topped with leftover marinara sauce from the other night and some mozzarella cheese. Served with leftover pasta from the other night. Rebecca had peas.

It was yummy and easy! So I made my goal of cooking tonight! Go me!

FTJ Days 15-25 Catch-up

So I have fallen behind in posting the Forget the Jones' assignments. So this will be a catch up:

Day 15 Prioritize pay down---Bill and I have decided to follow a modified Dave Ramsey approach...smallest balance first then after the Mastercard is payed off go to highest interest instead of next smallest which would be Ball State student loan.

Day 16-Re-evaluate your expenses...we did this and cut back some on Directv service and on money we spent on going out.

Day 17- Avoid Budgeting mistakes

Day 18- Create a budget

Day 19- Create a price book

Day 20 and 21- Create a master meals list and pantry list--- I did not write this down as our space for storage is small so I know exactly what I have in the kitchen.

Day 22- Go on a modified spending freeze...we are going to do this, by only buying necessities at the store

Day 23- Be a proactive shopper---use your price book to help you grocery shop, make a master gift list...--- I do this already

Day 24-25--Get into the decluttering mindset. Visualize your goals and image of each room in your home and what you want it to be. Take a before photo of each space.--- this will be easy as I am also taking part in FlyLady's 5 week super fling boogie. It will feel so good to get rid of stuff that we don't use or need.

Yummy dinner!

So in an effort to cook dinner everynight and to eat less processed food for dinner...I have done really well. Tonight Bill was home, so I decided to try a new recipe...Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings...Oh my God! It was sooooo goooood!!!!!!! I will definitely be adding it to my rotation.

Chicken and Dumplings in the crockpot

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 8 tenderloins) seasoned with sage, garlic powder, pepper, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary
2 tbsp. butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 onion finely chopped
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen carrots
1 tube refrigerated biscuits

Put everything except biscuits in crockpot. Fill with water to cover. Mix together. Cover and cook on high 5 hours. Tear biscuits into chunks and put in Crockpot. Cover and cook for an additional 75 minutes on high. Serve over mashed potatoes.

This was sooooo yummy! Rebecca didn't like it, but it was the first time she had it so maybe she will like it next time....I am doing good on this meal planning thing. Tonight I need to make my menu out for this week. Wish me luck!