I've been absent from blogging and a lot more lately. On one hand, I'm happier then I've been in ages. But... I feel that something is missing. So much so I've found myself contemplating a 3rd baby. Which for those of you who know me well...that's just. crazy.
Right? Right?!
Well, for the moment we will remain a family of 4. But who knows exactly what the future will hold.
My one little word for 2013 is "Whimsy"
Somehow with all this adult life stuff I've seemingly lost my sense of it. Here's to spontaneity, frivolity, and sometimes foolishness. Enjoying my family, pursuing my goals and hobbies, and trying, falling, living in the moment. My oldest is halfway to 18. My youngest will be in Kindergarten in the Fall.
And me....
I'll be the one repeatedly falling on my ass on my quad skates while working toward my goal of being a Roller Derby Queen. I'll be hitting the gym, baking bread, finally figuring out my sewing machine, mastering my DSLR, riding my pink Townie with the white leather streamers, and bell. (Still need that basket!) Once and for all, I will figure out how to accessorize. I will do a Color Run (or two!)
And maybe, just maybe... I'll finally be brave enough to get my tragus pierced.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Menu Plan time
I used to be very, very good about planning meals. Also prepping on the weekends for the week ahead. I would also cook for the freezer whenever possible. Somewhere that all got lost in the shuffle...
So, after an argument last week with Jeff.... Or as close as we get to such a thing... He voiced his frustration with recently lackluster dinners. I voiced mine over long hours at work (his) and how difficult it can be to get dinner on the table during the week between homework, kids fighting, and life in general. I decided to re-prioritize. Also, with the rising costs of groceries... It just makes sense to have more than a general idea of what meals I will make for the week.
Also, I have started couponing again. Nothing that will get me "extreme" status, but it was nice to see 1/2 my bill get subtracted last week, and nearly 40 percent today when I shopped. All told, we spend an average of $150 give or take per week. A combination of Safeway, Trader Joes, and Costco. We buy most dairy at Costco - bulk cheese, milk, eggs, frozen ground beef, etc. I get cereal, snacks, nuts, peanut butter, jelly, produce, yogurt, etc. at TJ'S, and the rest at Safeway.
We eat pretty well... I make breakfast and lunches for myself and the kids daily, and dinner for us all most nights. We also have big family weekend brunches at home. We eat largely whole foods, organic when it's practical, and without packaged things with ingredients I can't pronounce. (Or HFCS, MSG, or partially or fully hydrogenated whatever oils.)
But we still get pizza about once a week and go out to eat more than we should. And Ashley will be starting preschool in a couple of weeks. Which equals $200+ a month for tuition. So, I'm hoping to change our spending habits - and eat better in the process.
I've signed up for Food on the Table (which is FREE - for LIFE with the coupon code MARFREE during the month of March!)
There is a Food on the Table iPhone app with recipes and integrated shopping list (although I use Cozi for that) and I've made a few of the recipes already with good reviews. The Lemon thyme chicken tenders were good, fast, and had few ingredients.
I also make sure to log-in to Safeway's website and add the "digital coupons" and the "Just 4 U" and "personalized deals" onto my card. I can even do this on my iPhone's web browser! Those can be paired with manufacturer's coupons for even more savings! :)
So for today, I shopped, planned meals for the next week and a half, dinner is in the slow cooker, and the dishes are done... Except for the side dishes, I'm done with dinner before noon!
It feels good to have control over a small aspect of my day - considering I often feel like the ringmaster in a 3-ring circus!
So for those interested... Here's my menu plan for this week.
Tuesday: Boneless pork chops, salt and peppered, then seared for 2-3 minutes per side, I deglazed the pan with a bit of orange juice and chicken broth, added about 3/4 cup of Trader Joe's Island Soyaki sauce - and cooking for 7-ish hours on low in the slow cooker. Then I will remove the pork, thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry, and serve with brown rice, broccoli, carrots, and sugar snap peas, and water chestnuts.
(Planned Extras for lunch)
Wednesday: Lemon and Garlic roasted chicken and pan gravy
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-and-garlic-roast-chicken-recipe/index.html
Bacon-mashed potatoes
Broccoli
Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie (using leftover roasted chicken)
Recipe from March 2012 "Everyday Food" magazine
Salad
Friday:
Late night for Jeff - leftovers and Mac & Cheese for the kiddos
Saturday: non-dinner - Chicken stock with roasted
Chicken carcasses plus some from the freezer
Dinner: Slow cooker bolognese
http://www.realsimple.com/m/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/slow-cooker-recipe-bolognese-sauce-10000000614078/index.html
(extra to freeze)
Ravioli baked with bolognese and cheese
Salad
Sunday: Creamy baked Jumbo-shells stuffed with Tuna and Spinach
Recipe from March 2012 "Everyday Food" magazine
Salad
Monday: Chipotle taco meat with hidden veggies
http://www.perrysplate.com/2010/08/hidden-veggie-chipotle-taco-meat.html
Rice, beans, cheese, tortillas
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday & Thursday (Thursday is my Stitch 'n Bitch night)
Chili & cornbread
Baked potatoes
So, after an argument last week with Jeff.... Or as close as we get to such a thing... He voiced his frustration with recently lackluster dinners. I voiced mine over long hours at work (his) and how difficult it can be to get dinner on the table during the week between homework, kids fighting, and life in general. I decided to re-prioritize. Also, with the rising costs of groceries... It just makes sense to have more than a general idea of what meals I will make for the week.
Also, I have started couponing again. Nothing that will get me "extreme" status, but it was nice to see 1/2 my bill get subtracted last week, and nearly 40 percent today when I shopped. All told, we spend an average of $150 give or take per week. A combination of Safeway, Trader Joes, and Costco. We buy most dairy at Costco - bulk cheese, milk, eggs, frozen ground beef, etc. I get cereal, snacks, nuts, peanut butter, jelly, produce, yogurt, etc. at TJ'S, and the rest at Safeway.
We eat pretty well... I make breakfast and lunches for myself and the kids daily, and dinner for us all most nights. We also have big family weekend brunches at home. We eat largely whole foods, organic when it's practical, and without packaged things with ingredients I can't pronounce. (Or HFCS, MSG, or partially or fully hydrogenated whatever oils.)
But we still get pizza about once a week and go out to eat more than we should. And Ashley will be starting preschool in a couple of weeks. Which equals $200+ a month for tuition. So, I'm hoping to change our spending habits - and eat better in the process.
I've signed up for Food on the Table (which is FREE - for LIFE with the coupon code MARFREE during the month of March!)
There is a Food on the Table iPhone app with recipes and integrated shopping list (although I use Cozi for that) and I've made a few of the recipes already with good reviews. The Lemon thyme chicken tenders were good, fast, and had few ingredients.
I also make sure to log-in to Safeway's website and add the "digital coupons" and the "Just 4 U" and "personalized deals" onto my card. I can even do this on my iPhone's web browser! Those can be paired with manufacturer's coupons for even more savings! :)
So for today, I shopped, planned meals for the next week and a half, dinner is in the slow cooker, and the dishes are done... Except for the side dishes, I'm done with dinner before noon!
It feels good to have control over a small aspect of my day - considering I often feel like the ringmaster in a 3-ring circus!
So for those interested... Here's my menu plan for this week.
Tuesday: Boneless pork chops, salt and peppered, then seared for 2-3 minutes per side, I deglazed the pan with a bit of orange juice and chicken broth, added about 3/4 cup of Trader Joe's Island Soyaki sauce - and cooking for 7-ish hours on low in the slow cooker. Then I will remove the pork, thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry, and serve with brown rice, broccoli, carrots, and sugar snap peas, and water chestnuts.
(Planned Extras for lunch)
Wednesday: Lemon and Garlic roasted chicken and pan gravy
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-and-garlic-roast-chicken-recipe/index.html
Bacon-mashed potatoes
Broccoli
Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie (using leftover roasted chicken)
Recipe from March 2012 "Everyday Food" magazine
Salad
Friday:
Late night for Jeff - leftovers and Mac & Cheese for the kiddos
Saturday: non-dinner - Chicken stock with roasted
Chicken carcasses plus some from the freezer
Dinner: Slow cooker bolognese
http://www.realsimple.com/m/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/slow-cooker-recipe-bolognese-sauce-10000000614078/index.html
(extra to freeze)
Ravioli baked with bolognese and cheese
Salad
Sunday: Creamy baked Jumbo-shells stuffed with Tuna and Spinach
Recipe from March 2012 "Everyday Food" magazine
Salad
Monday: Chipotle taco meat with hidden veggies
http://www.perrysplate.com/2010/08/hidden-veggie-chipotle-taco-meat.html
Rice, beans, cheese, tortillas
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday & Thursday (Thursday is my Stitch 'n Bitch night)
Chili & cornbread
Baked potatoes
Friday, January 6, 2012
Getting the hell outta Dodge
Things I will certainly not miss when we move out of this house:
1. Constant sirens (close proximity to the hospital as well as various crime scenes)
2. Horrendous "music" in the form of late-night bass-y Mexican Polka from almost nightly weekend parties in the neighborhood, our next door neighbor's crappy garage band, and finally, the drunken Asian karaoke.
3. The creepers who park directly across the street from my house day and night and walk down into the creek-bed to do whatever creeper crap it is that they do.
4. The endlessly barking dogs. Seriously. Let them in at night.
5. The near daily graffiti "decorating" public and private property. It's a never-ending battle... Why yes, I do have graffiti abatement on my speed dial. Don't you?
1. Constant sirens (close proximity to the hospital as well as various crime scenes)
2. Horrendous "music" in the form of late-night bass-y Mexican Polka from almost nightly weekend parties in the neighborhood, our next door neighbor's crappy garage band, and finally, the drunken Asian karaoke.
3. The creepers who park directly across the street from my house day and night and walk down into the creek-bed to do whatever creeper crap it is that they do.
4. The endlessly barking dogs. Seriously. Let them in at night.
5. The near daily graffiti "decorating" public and private property. It's a never-ending battle... Why yes, I do have graffiti abatement on my speed dial. Don't you?
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
One little word
This year has had its ups and downs...And "open" - my one little word for 2011 has served me well. I succeeded in my goal of running a half marathon in July. I stress fractured my big toe in the process. I found some awesome supplements to help me reign in the anxiety and negative thoughts that always manage to creep into my head. We made the decision to move forward with walking away from this house.
Even though our credit score will most likely be eviscerated in the process... It's the right decision at this time. Just like purchasing the house was the right decision at that time.
The realization that happiness is once and for all realizable and tangible, and doesn't come from anything bought in a store. Square footage is as much a blight as a blessing. The next order of business is finding a place, and starting over. And we are not looking back.
The next place will be about family photos framed on the wall, and attempting to make a home from a rented house. (thank you Feist!)
Slowing down. Continuing my journey to get fitter and healthier... Physically and mentally. We all deserve as much. I mean a weight that begins with a "1" isn't a bad place to start. I was there for a short while... And now I find myself about 8 pounds away. I realize this place (geographically and more) is a huge barrier to my happiness. I NEED to be within a few miles of the ocean. Early morning or evening runs along the shore without having to be hyper-aware of my surroundings. I want to have lunch with my husband several days a week. To go to the Farmers Market weekly again... To pop into Trader Joe's and not be concerned about my frozen things thawing on the drive home.
These simple things... Like spending more time creating and less spent driving. More photographs taken and less worry lines created.
Simplifying, decluttering - starting fresh and clean. I am SO looking forward to it all. New routines, not taking my surroundings for granted. All of it. Future Plans. Like running the 2nd half of the SF Marathon this summer in the time allotted, and fracture-free. But that's just icing, right? :)
My one little word for 2012 is "transform." And I already like the direction things are headed.
Even though our credit score will most likely be eviscerated in the process... It's the right decision at this time. Just like purchasing the house was the right decision at that time.
The realization that happiness is once and for all realizable and tangible, and doesn't come from anything bought in a store. Square footage is as much a blight as a blessing. The next order of business is finding a place, and starting over. And we are not looking back.
The next place will be about family photos framed on the wall, and attempting to make a home from a rented house. (thank you Feist!)
Slowing down. Continuing my journey to get fitter and healthier... Physically and mentally. We all deserve as much. I mean a weight that begins with a "1" isn't a bad place to start. I was there for a short while... And now I find myself about 8 pounds away. I realize this place (geographically and more) is a huge barrier to my happiness. I NEED to be within a few miles of the ocean. Early morning or evening runs along the shore without having to be hyper-aware of my surroundings. I want to have lunch with my husband several days a week. To go to the Farmers Market weekly again... To pop into Trader Joe's and not be concerned about my frozen things thawing on the drive home.
These simple things... Like spending more time creating and less spent driving. More photographs taken and less worry lines created.
Simplifying, decluttering - starting fresh and clean. I am SO looking forward to it all. New routines, not taking my surroundings for granted. All of it. Future Plans. Like running the 2nd half of the SF Marathon this summer in the time allotted, and fracture-free. But that's just icing, right? :)
My one little word for 2012 is "transform." And I already like the direction things are headed.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Oh, hey there...
So I've been considering trying to you know... Actually start blogging again. And maybe even stay with it? Ha! Guess we will see. ;)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
13.1 Baby!
So, I'm alive... and it's August. So, that means the half-marathon didn't kill me. I wish I could say I did fantastically. But, that would be a lie. I didn't do fantastically. My time was 3:21:08. So, yeah, 21:08 over the 3 hour course limit... but I finished. And I'm pretty damned proud of that fact. And the hills. Oh, dear Lord... the hills. They Kicked. My. Ass. Especially the one going up to the GG Bridge. The bridge was amazing, of course... I knew it would be. That's why I picked the 1st Half (The harder half, with 30 minutes less time to finish than the 2nd half.)
The start time was brutal, considering we had to drive across from the East Bay. We left my in-laws at 3:45. Holy early ass, Batman.
I did walk in parts, especially when the hills were OMG ouch, and the last 3 miles seemed to go on, and on, and ON!! So, yeah, most likely, if I'd taken fewer bathroom breaks, and less pictures, I could have finished within the limit. But you know what? I'm glad I did take pictures. And, having to pee sucks. So, I honestly don't think I would change anything if I had it to do over again.
And I WILL do it over again. Next year. :)
The start time was brutal, considering we had to drive across from the East Bay. We left my in-laws at 3:45. Holy early ass, Batman.
I did walk in parts, especially when the hills were OMG ouch, and the last 3 miles seemed to go on, and on, and ON!! So, yeah, most likely, if I'd taken fewer bathroom breaks, and less pictures, I could have finished within the limit. But you know what? I'm glad I did take pictures. And, having to pee sucks. So, I honestly don't think I would change anything if I had it to do over again.
And I WILL do it over again. Next year. :)
Friday, June 24, 2011
Keep on running....
I assure you... all two of you who actually read this irregular-disaster of a "blog"... I am still very much alive and well...
I have thrown myself in the 1/2 Training - well, the short version here (and not so faithfully cross-training BAD ME!)I got up at the ass crack of dark o'clock (4:45am) to run my 3 miles today. I was up at 6:00am to run 5 miles last Saturday before heading up to my in-laws. I am doing 6 miles this Sunday (rounding it to an even 10k) Speaking of... I am thinking of running the Spreckles 10k on the 4th of July. The only thing keeping me from registering is that I'm not sure if Jeff's off that day yet. I bought a pair of Vibram Bikilas but I have still yet to wear them for more than a mile.
I am absolutely terrified of the hills. I need to go run up AND down some very soon. I am under no illusions that training on the 'mill is far from optimal when you're looking at a course fraught with hills. Way to pick the HARDEST 1/2 for your first one, Christine. Overachiever. :P
Also, have been faithfully doing the "Green monster" smoothies for the last week. I really think they are helping a lot along with the exercise... my mood is stabilizing once again. I'm also spending a lot more time outside with Ashley during the week out and about. Travis has been going to day camp every weekday but Tuesdays. Next week it's 5 days. It's pleasant - except for all the driving - but I am pretty much used to it by now. Being out all the time, I'm largely neglecting my house, and all that entails but that's kind of how it has to be for now.
I wonder when(?) if(?) I will ever consider myself a true "runner" rather than someone who is just running. Is there a magic moment where the drudgery just falls completely away? I am feeling it bit by bit. I put my headphones in, and crank up my playlist, and I know that no one is going to bug me for the next however many miles. I enjoy that part, immensely.
I have thrown myself in the 1/2 Training - well, the short version here (and not so faithfully cross-training BAD ME!)I got up at the ass crack of dark o'clock (4:45am) to run my 3 miles today. I was up at 6:00am to run 5 miles last Saturday before heading up to my in-laws. I am doing 6 miles this Sunday (rounding it to an even 10k) Speaking of... I am thinking of running the Spreckles 10k on the 4th of July. The only thing keeping me from registering is that I'm not sure if Jeff's off that day yet. I bought a pair of Vibram Bikilas but I have still yet to wear them for more than a mile.
I am absolutely terrified of the hills. I need to go run up AND down some very soon. I am under no illusions that training on the 'mill is far from optimal when you're looking at a course fraught with hills. Way to pick the HARDEST 1/2 for your first one, Christine. Overachiever. :P
Also, have been faithfully doing the "Green monster" smoothies for the last week. I really think they are helping a lot along with the exercise... my mood is stabilizing once again. I'm also spending a lot more time outside with Ashley during the week out and about. Travis has been going to day camp every weekday but Tuesdays. Next week it's 5 days. It's pleasant - except for all the driving - but I am pretty much used to it by now. Being out all the time, I'm largely neglecting my house, and all that entails but that's kind of how it has to be for now.
I wonder when(?) if(?) I will ever consider myself a true "runner" rather than someone who is just running. Is there a magic moment where the drudgery just falls completely away? I am feeling it bit by bit. I put my headphones in, and crank up my playlist, and I know that no one is going to bug me for the next however many miles. I enjoy that part, immensely.
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