 |
| Before Christmas Eve Mass |
 |
| Christmas Eve |
 |
| These two are so silly |
 |
| Life with a Tween |
 |
| L wanted to leave Santa a beer to bring on his vacation when Christmas is over! |
Big Present Time...
 | ||
 |
| Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night! |
16 hours ago
Friday, December 27, 2013
Christmas 2013
It's 2 days after Christmas and I am still putting away presents, still eating leftovers, still trying to recover. We had a wonderful day(s) but now I am looking forward to the new year. Here are a few of my favorite shots form this holiday season...
A lot has happened....
Well, a lot has happened since I last posted.
While I was in full swing of getting the kids ready for back to school mode, things came to head and a serious talk about going back to work came up. My mom retired last Fall, so we did take that into consideration as we discussed what would work for our family.
Now, I will tell you, I was in complete panic mode. Scared to death to go back to work. I talked about it here when I was in my "OMG, I am turning 40 and having a mini midlife crisis"
Here is where I truly believe I have angels watching over me.
I made a random phone call to a local preschool and asked if they were hiring. There were looking for an Extended Care person (Daycare) and I left my name and number. Perfect, it is exactly what I did for 11 years! A few days later, I received a phone call from the director and we had a really good discussion. The position was part time, with extra hours available when subbing in a classroom. My regular hours allow me to get the kids off to school and my mom can be there for them to get off the bus. It is 5 minutes from home. I have to option of summers off to be home with the kids. Again, my angels were looking after me! I went in for a formal interview, loved it and was hired!
Now, my last blog post was August 12 and I started after Labor day. So, in a matter of three weeks, my life completely changed from what I had been used to for the last 7 years. I had definite thoughts on being a stay at home mom and had the memories of working while having babies, but working with three school age kids is a whole new game. When they were little, we came home, ate dinner, played and went to bed. Now there are three sets of homework to be finished and checked, dinner and extracurricular activities. It is actually crazier now! We are taking it day by day though.
I am really looking forward to the slower winter months to get into a new routine...until baseball season comes knocking at the door and the craziness begins again!
While I was in full swing of getting the kids ready for back to school mode, things came to head and a serious talk about going back to work came up. My mom retired last Fall, so we did take that into consideration as we discussed what would work for our family.
Now, I will tell you, I was in complete panic mode. Scared to death to go back to work. I talked about it here when I was in my "OMG, I am turning 40 and having a mini midlife crisis"
Here is where I truly believe I have angels watching over me.
I made a random phone call to a local preschool and asked if they were hiring. There were looking for an Extended Care person (Daycare) and I left my name and number. Perfect, it is exactly what I did for 11 years! A few days later, I received a phone call from the director and we had a really good discussion. The position was part time, with extra hours available when subbing in a classroom. My regular hours allow me to get the kids off to school and my mom can be there for them to get off the bus. It is 5 minutes from home. I have to option of summers off to be home with the kids. Again, my angels were looking after me! I went in for a formal interview, loved it and was hired!
Now, my last blog post was August 12 and I started after Labor day. So, in a matter of three weeks, my life completely changed from what I had been used to for the last 7 years. I had definite thoughts on being a stay at home mom and had the memories of working while having babies, but working with three school age kids is a whole new game. When they were little, we came home, ate dinner, played and went to bed. Now there are three sets of homework to be finished and checked, dinner and extracurricular activities. It is actually crazier now! We are taking it day by day though.
I am really looking forward to the slower winter months to get into a new routine...until baseball season comes knocking at the door and the craziness begins again!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Vacation
As the wise eighties girl band, the Go-Go's would say...
Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone...
I know you have that song in your head now. You're welcome.
Unlike the Go-Go's, I don't spend it alone. Alone time comes in two weeks. I did have a fun time though and now that vacations are officially over, it's time to get in back to school mode.
Vacation
All I ever wanted
Vacation
Had to get away
Vacation
Meant to be spent alone...
I know you have that song in your head now. You're welcome.
Unlike the Go-Go's, I don't spend it alone. Alone time comes in two weeks. I did have a fun time though and now that vacations are officially over, it's time to get in back to school mode.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Thoughts on being a Stay at Home Mom
I am coming up on my eighth year of being a stay at home mom.
During that time, I've represented the following...
elementary, preschool and pregnant
elementary, preschool and infant
elementary, preschool and toddler
2 elementary and a toddler
2 elementary and a preschool
2 elementary and a preschool
middle school, elementary, preschool...
This year...middle school and 2 elementary.
I've reached the milestone. All three boys will be in school all day.
Seven years, and to be perfectly honest, I still don't have it down pat. There are many days that I am frazzled and feel like there is not enough hours to get it all done. I feel like every chore that needs to be done is a battle and I am on the losing side. Then, I'll have that rare glorious day when I am put together, the house is clean, laundry is caught up on, dinner is prepared early, homework time is easy and I am on top of the world. Ahhhh, the perfection I imagined as a stay at home mom. Of course, I am usually slapped back into reality the next day.
I know this may sound like a complaint. I guess it kind of is. Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes their job 100% of the time. On those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, stay at home moms don't even have the option to leave the negativity "at the office" You are in your work environment 24-7. And I'm not talking about being a mom. That never changes...even if you go out of the home to work, your mind and heart is with your little people all the time...no matter where you are. I am referring to physically being in your house. Now, I'm not chained in my home. Believe me, I live for my Monday morning coffee time with my friends and have errands to run just about every day. I guess, for me, it's the mentality of sleeping where I work.
I have to say, there are days when being at home is harder than any job I've ever had. I've been a working mom. I know how hard it is. I used to get two little boys up and out of the house by 6:30am every day, breakfast and lunches packed and drove 40 minutes to my job. I still had all the typical household duties...laundry, cooking and cleaning.
Enough with the negative...I truly realize what a blessing it is that I have been able to stay home for as long as I have. It's not easy to live on one income. All the credit goes to my husband who is amazing at keeping things balanced financially. We are a good team and I probably don't tell him enough how much I appreciate all he does. We both agreed that having a stay at home parent is the best thing for our kids. I love that I am home for them after school, there is no conflict if someone has to stay home sick or I can participate in school activities. I'm glad that I am home so dinner can be prepped and I can help during homework time at a reasonable hour. I am there to wake them up in the morning and can get them off to school with a good breakfast. And during the summer, we get to relax and enjoy some down time together.
That said, with summer winding down, our days have been a little tougher. Patience all around has been waning...with me and the kids. I'll admit, summer vacation makes my job a little harder. I love my kids dearly, I really do, but being together all this time leads to bickering...and learning exactly what buttons to push to get someone to snap.
I may or may not have been complaining about losing my mind when my husband said my "vacation" was coming up. Um, no. Like I said earlier, we are a great team, and we are both in agreement that me being home is the best thing, but vacation...are you serious? He said that I will have 8 hours to do as I please when they are in school. Will I have more time to get things done? Yes! Will things be easier? Yes! Will it be a vacation? Oh, HELL, no!! The best I can hope for is that I have that the rare glorious perfection day happens at least once a week. Dare I dream...and go for two or three times a week? Only time will tell.
During that time, I've represented the following...
elementary, preschool and pregnant
elementary, preschool and infant
elementary, preschool and toddler
2 elementary and a toddler
2 elementary and a preschool
2 elementary and a preschool
middle school, elementary, preschool...
This year...middle school and 2 elementary.
I've reached the milestone. All three boys will be in school all day.
Seven years, and to be perfectly honest, I still don't have it down pat. There are many days that I am frazzled and feel like there is not enough hours to get it all done. I feel like every chore that needs to be done is a battle and I am on the losing side. Then, I'll have that rare glorious day when I am put together, the house is clean, laundry is caught up on, dinner is prepared early, homework time is easy and I am on top of the world. Ahhhh, the perfection I imagined as a stay at home mom. Of course, I am usually slapped back into reality the next day.
I know this may sound like a complaint. I guess it kind of is. Nobody, and I mean nobody, likes their job 100% of the time. On those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, stay at home moms don't even have the option to leave the negativity "at the office" You are in your work environment 24-7. And I'm not talking about being a mom. That never changes...even if you go out of the home to work, your mind and heart is with your little people all the time...no matter where you are. I am referring to physically being in your house. Now, I'm not chained in my home. Believe me, I live for my Monday morning coffee time with my friends and have errands to run just about every day. I guess, for me, it's the mentality of sleeping where I work.
I have to say, there are days when being at home is harder than any job I've ever had. I've been a working mom. I know how hard it is. I used to get two little boys up and out of the house by 6:30am every day, breakfast and lunches packed and drove 40 minutes to my job. I still had all the typical household duties...laundry, cooking and cleaning.
Enough with the negative...I truly realize what a blessing it is that I have been able to stay home for as long as I have. It's not easy to live on one income. All the credit goes to my husband who is amazing at keeping things balanced financially. We are a good team and I probably don't tell him enough how much I appreciate all he does. We both agreed that having a stay at home parent is the best thing for our kids. I love that I am home for them after school, there is no conflict if someone has to stay home sick or I can participate in school activities. I'm glad that I am home so dinner can be prepped and I can help during homework time at a reasonable hour. I am there to wake them up in the morning and can get them off to school with a good breakfast. And during the summer, we get to relax and enjoy some down time together.
That said, with summer winding down, our days have been a little tougher. Patience all around has been waning...with me and the kids. I'll admit, summer vacation makes my job a little harder. I love my kids dearly, I really do, but being together all this time leads to bickering...and learning exactly what buttons to push to get someone to snap.
I may or may not have been complaining about losing my mind when my husband said my "vacation" was coming up. Um, no. Like I said earlier, we are a great team, and we are both in agreement that me being home is the best thing, but vacation...are you serious? He said that I will have 8 hours to do as I please when they are in school. Will I have more time to get things done? Yes! Will things be easier? Yes! Will it be a vacation? Oh, HELL, no!! The best I can hope for is that I have that the rare glorious perfection day happens at least once a week. Dare I dream...and go for two or three times a week? Only time will tell.
Monday Motivation
I have lots of dreams....and I'm ready to work to make them come true! Do you have a dream? Make this week count. Happy Monday Friends!
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Pool time
The weather this summer has been crazy. Most of June was plagued with those nasty afternoon thunder storms. It was like "Groundhog Day" as the clouds rolled in every day. It got old really fast. Then, we hit July and a stretch of 90+ degree days. I wish a real wave made you feel like the song...happy, peppy and wanting to sing and dance. Instead, you just feel like you are melting. Thank God for pool time!!!
At our pool, kids under 14 need to take a swim test to determine what areas they can be in. The wristbands use the stop light system. Red...stay in the shallow end, yellow...a little deeper, but a larger area to play and green...go where you want, including the tube slide.
R &S have been green the past two summers. L has been content to stay in red. Until this summer. His brothers and our friends, who we generally go to the pool with, have free reign. L was starting to feel left out. We practiced while we were on vacation and he did surprisingly well. Our first time back at the pool, he was ready to go for yellow.
Mission: swim half the length of the pool and float on your back for 30 seconds.
He was ready and passed with flying colors! L was determined to do it before he turned 6...and he did, by one day.
At our pool, kids under 14 need to take a swim test to determine what areas they can be in. The wristbands use the stop light system. Red...stay in the shallow end, yellow...a little deeper, but a larger area to play and green...go where you want, including the tube slide.
R &S have been green the past two summers. L has been content to stay in red. Until this summer. His brothers and our friends, who we generally go to the pool with, have free reign. L was starting to feel left out. We practiced while we were on vacation and he did surprisingly well. Our first time back at the pool, he was ready to go for yellow.
Mission: swim half the length of the pool and float on your back for 30 seconds.
He was ready and passed with flying colors! L was determined to do it before he turned 6...and he did, by one day.
As proud as he was to have a yellow band, there was one more hurdle to jump. Less than a week later, he wanted to go for green.
Mission 2: Swim the whole length of the pool and tread water for 30 seconds.
He had not once once of fear and his only question was if his chin and mouth could go in the water while treading water. The lifeguard nodded yes and with that, he was ready to go. My little fish went on his way with his goggles and unique swimming style. He made it! He climbed out to get his green band and went straight to the slide!
Now, all three boys are green and my littlest fish has the freedom to follow his big brothers. He is not the strongest swimmer, so I will still have to be extra diligent in keeping my eye on him. That's OK, because I am so proud that he had a goal, went for it and achieved it. My baby is growing up!!
4 weeks left of summer...and we are going to enjoy it as much as we can!!!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Brotherly Love
This is the picture that started it all. L keeps a copy of it in his room. He loves to look at it, especially as he is getting ready to go to sleep at night.
A few nights ago, I was looking at it with L and I said, "Hey, you are going to be the same age as R was in this picture. He was 6 when you were born" He stared at the picture quietly for a bit and then said to me, "When did he turn mean? I mean, like, he is always annoyed at us all the time." I was taken aback for a second and then I started to think.
Pretty insightful, huh? I know we are in the midst of preteen angst, I know my frustrations, but, I never thought of how S or L perceive things to be. I guess L looks at this picture and he sees a happy go lucky 6 year old like himself (particularly since they look a lot alike)! He can't grasp why anything in life should be frustrating. I tried to tell him that as kids gets older, their bodies are growing and changing and sometimes their feelings are more sensitive. It happens to everyone, but, no matter what, R still loves you because you are his little brother.
I have to admit, R is really a great big brother, even at two and a half when he first took on the role. He sets a good example for both S and L. He looks out for them and will always help me with them when I need it.
For now, we are just going to navigate through the storm of hormones and just when I think we have things down, S will be going through the same thing ;)
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Life (and my insecurities) are like Kayne West...interrupting my blog like a Taylor Swift acceptance speech
Yes, well, that was fun while it lasted.
I was on a roll for like a week, and fell off the face of the blogdom. I can't say the face of the Earth because, really, life has been going on and with three boys, there is always something going on.
Really, much of the Spring until the summer was consumed with baseball. It was a crazy schedule, but we survived. All three boys played and at three different levels...chaos.
S had the longest season. His team made it to the championship series and the big finale of the season was S going to the All Star game
We sprinted into summer and 5 weeks from now, I will have three kids in school full time. EEK :/
So, along with a busy life, I start to feel like I am crazy while blogging. I feel like I am talking to myself (which is eerily similar to how I feel talking to my kids some days this summer). I think to myself that I don't have anything interesting to say to others. That is the biggest hurdle to overcome. I love going back and reading my own posts. That should be reason enough to keep it up right?
I know I will never be a world wide "Beyonce" Blogger, but will happily be a "Taylor Swift" to anyone who wants to read. Now, time to put on the big girl panties and Get.It.Done.
*****Disclaimer. I realize that millions of people idolize TS, and I am not downplaying her popularity. Right now, I'm the unknown opening act ;)
I was on a roll for like a week, and fell off the face of the blogdom. I can't say the face of the Earth because, really, life has been going on and with three boys, there is always something going on.
Really, much of the Spring until the summer was consumed with baseball. It was a crazy schedule, but we survived. All three boys played and at three different levels...chaos.
S had the longest season. His team made it to the championship series and the big finale of the season was S going to the All Star game
We sprinted into summer and 5 weeks from now, I will have three kids in school full time. EEK :/
So, along with a busy life, I start to feel like I am crazy while blogging. I feel like I am talking to myself (which is eerily similar to how I feel talking to my kids some days this summer). I think to myself that I don't have anything interesting to say to others. That is the biggest hurdle to overcome. I love going back and reading my own posts. That should be reason enough to keep it up right?
I know I will never be a world wide "Beyonce" Blogger, but will happily be a "Taylor Swift" to anyone who wants to read. Now, time to put on the big girl panties and Get.It.Done.
*****Disclaimer. I realize that millions of people idolize TS, and I am not downplaying her popularity. Right now, I'm the unknown opening act ;)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Lent
Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Lent is the liturgical season (40 days) when we prepare for Easter. Christians prepare by fasting, practicing spiritual discipline and reflecting on their relationship with God. Basically, Lent is a time for
"spring cleaning" our lives, giving thanks for our blessings and deepening our relationship with Jesus.
The joke among my friends is that I am Catholic enough for all of them. Proof above, I am the living Wikipedia for Catholicism. I guess 12 years of Catholic school will do that to you. I attend mass regularly, pray daily (not including my Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph plea when I am wits end with something), and I make sure my kids are being brought up the same way. I also have enough Catholic guilt to keep me honest.
My fellow Catholics, when you think of Lent, the first thing that comes to mind is "What are you giving up?", right? When I was younger, it was ALWAYS candy/dessert. It just made that big basket of candy on Easter morning that much sweeter. As I got older, I still give up something, but I try to focus on DOING something as well. This year, I am giving up soda. I know it it bad for me anyway, but some days, I just need that Diet Mt. Dew to get through the afternoon, know what I mean?
This year, I want my spiritual cleaning to be a little deeper. A friend on Facebook posted this and it just struck my heart. This is what I should be doing all year, not just during Lent.
TRUE LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of all light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on God's providence.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that sustains
Shared from the very wise, Father Jerry Riney
My goal is to read these every morning and night and to follow them as best I can during the hours in between.
Now, I just have to remember to not eat meat today and the next 7 Friday's...
The joke among my friends is that I am Catholic enough for all of them. Proof above, I am the living Wikipedia for Catholicism. I guess 12 years of Catholic school will do that to you. I attend mass regularly, pray daily (not including my Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph plea when I am wits end with something), and I make sure my kids are being brought up the same way. I also have enough Catholic guilt to keep me honest.
My fellow Catholics, when you think of Lent, the first thing that comes to mind is "What are you giving up?", right? When I was younger, it was ALWAYS candy/dessert. It just made that big basket of candy on Easter morning that much sweeter. As I got older, I still give up something, but I try to focus on DOING something as well. This year, I am giving up soda. I know it it bad for me anyway, but some days, I just need that Diet Mt. Dew to get through the afternoon, know what I mean?
This year, I want my spiritual cleaning to be a little deeper. A friend on Facebook posted this and it just struck my heart. This is what I should be doing all year, not just during Lent.
TRUE LENTEN DISCIPLINE
Fast from judging others; feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of all light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on God's providence.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that sustains
Shared from the very wise, Father Jerry Riney
My goal is to read these every morning and night and to follow them as best I can during the hours in between.
Now, I just have to remember to not eat meat today and the next 7 Friday's...
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I'm Just Saying...
This is S's favorite line. He is full of spirit and has a tendency to get very...um....loud? emphatic? belligerent? when he disagrees with me. He also thinks that by following up with "I'm just saying", after whatever he says makes it ok. Like he is just giving his opinion ...
We are working on breaking that habit without breaking his spirit.
But, stop and think if it was socially acceptable to say whatever you wanted...as long as it was followed up by...I'm Just Saying.
**40? I though you were much older...I'm just saying...
** If you made those same mistakes before, what makes this time any different? Didn't you learn anything?...I'm just saying...
** Is that what you're wearing? You remind me of a sausage coming out of it's casings...I'm just saying...
** You're Instagram profile is really boring...I'm just saying... (This is an exact quote from S this morning to me!!!)
I could go on and on and you could easily fill in your own scenarios. As funny as it sounds, it really does soften the blow...a little. But, I can't let my monkey know that. That boy with the biggest smile, wittiest sense of humor, street smart intelligence, explosive personality needs to be set on the path of the straight and narrow...I'm just saying!
We are working on breaking that habit without breaking his spirit.
But, stop and think if it was socially acceptable to say whatever you wanted...as long as it was followed up by...I'm Just Saying.
**40? I though you were much older...I'm just saying...
** If you made those same mistakes before, what makes this time any different? Didn't you learn anything?...I'm just saying...
** Is that what you're wearing? You remind me of a sausage coming out of it's casings...I'm just saying...
** You're Instagram profile is really boring...I'm just saying... (This is an exact quote from S this morning to me!!!)
I could go on and on and you could easily fill in your own scenarios. As funny as it sounds, it really does soften the blow...a little. But, I can't let my monkey know that. That boy with the biggest smile, wittiest sense of humor, street smart intelligence, explosive personality needs to be set on the path of the straight and narrow...I'm just saying!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday Motivation
Whatever you have on your plate this week...don't stress and remember... it always seems impossible until it is done. Have a wonderful week, my friends!
Friday, February 8, 2013
Good Eats: Frozen Meatballs and Sour Cream Sauce
I have a really easy, fast, kid friendly dinner. I found it years ago on Baby Center and it is a family favorite. AND, if you happen to try it, leave a comment and let me know how it goes over in your house.
Frozen Meatballs and Sour Cream Sauce
Frozen Meatballs and Sour Cream Sauce
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
6-8 frozen meatballs per person
pasta of your choice
Sour Cream Sauce
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
1c. beef broth
1/2 tsp. salt dash of cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
8oz dairy sour cream, room temp.
Heat
Dutch oven or large skillet to medium heat and add 1 Tbsp olive oil.
When the pan is hot, add a Tbsp of water and frozen meatballs to the
Dutch oven and put a lid on to steam the meatballs. Once they are heated
through, remove the meatballs and add butter to the brownings in the
pan. Stir in the flour and cook until bubbly. Add broth, salt, cayenne
pepper and Worcestershire sauce; cook, stirring until thickened and
bubbly. Gradually add sour cream, one heaping spoonful at a time to the
sauce, stirring constantly. add meatballs and let simmer.
Serve over noodles/pasta
****My Variation****
I skipped the browning of the meatballs and just warmed them in the microwave. Both ways taste good but I just did the SUPER easy version!
Also, I OBVIOUSLY double the recipe. I've got three growing boys :)
OK, I did take step by step pictures while I was cooking. LOL! Hats off to the foodie bloggers who do this all the time. It was much harder than I thought it would be. Since, I put the effort in, I'll share, but I can pretty much guarantee that I will only be sharing final products from now on:)
The cast of characters...of course, I forgot the sour cream in the first picture...DUH, meatballs and SOUR CREAM sauce...yeah, well....
add the flour...
add meatballs and simmer!
****My Variation****
I skipped the browning of the meatballs and just warmed them in the microwave. Both ways taste good but I just did the SUPER easy version!
Also, I OBVIOUSLY double the recipe. I've got three growing boys :)
OK, I did take step by step pictures while I was cooking. LOL! Hats off to the foodie bloggers who do this all the time. It was much harder than I thought it would be. Since, I put the effort in, I'll share, but I can pretty much guarantee that I will only be sharing final products from now on:)
Melt the butter...
mix together...
add the beef broth...
add Worcestershire sauce...
add sour cream...
mix well...look at the pretty swirls...
So, I didn't take pictures of the salt or cayenne pepper. See, I told you it was difficult...and at least I remembered to add the sour cream :)
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Where Am I? I need a GPS for Life
I am going to be 40 this year.
I never really cared about the number until New Years 2013 when the realization hit me...I'm going to be 40 this year. Oh CRAP! I know it's just a number, but something about that number makes me think, what have I done with my life and where am I going in the next 40 years?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher and a mom. In my School Days record book, from Kindergarten on, every year...teacher/mom, teacher/mom, teacher/mom...you get the point. Well, I did become a teacher and I did become a mom. I had a wonderful 11 years teaching in various day cares/preschool settings. I also had two amazing little boys and had the blessing to take them to work with me while I was teaching. It was perfect...the best of both worlds! It was tough being a working mom, but then my toughest job came when I stopped teaching to a stay at home with the kids...and became mom to another amazing little boy. It was an adjustment to being home and having a newborn again, but eventually, we fell into the groove of life.
I think life has been in autopilot for awhile now.
L is starting full day Kindergarten next year which means I have the whole day BY MYSELF!!! Now what do I do? Go back to teaching? I feel like I've lost my mojo. I was a really good teacher and I loved my job. I just don't know if I really want to back to it. That makes me sad. All I wanted was to be a teacher and a mom. How could I do anything different? How can I BE anything different?
Now, I am at the crossroads. Blogging, crafting, being creative is what makes me happy now. If I could just make some money at it, I'd be golden. I know it is possible and I am willing to put the work in to make it a reality, but part of me is still scared. What if this isn't the person I am supposed to be?
I'm going to use this blog as a platform to expand some ideas and explore new opportunities. Time to open up and put it all out there (which is what inspired me to blog in the first place!) I'm ready to find a new groove with life...so if you're reading, hang on and enjoy the ride with me!
******JUST A DISCLAIMER********
This pseudo midlife crisis will not result in a new 20 something boy toy...a fast, expensive sports car...or plastic surgery with new bodyparts :)
I never really cared about the number until New Years 2013 when the realization hit me...I'm going to be 40 this year. Oh CRAP! I know it's just a number, but something about that number makes me think, what have I done with my life and where am I going in the next 40 years?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher and a mom. In my School Days record book, from Kindergarten on, every year...teacher/mom, teacher/mom, teacher/mom...you get the point. Well, I did become a teacher and I did become a mom. I had a wonderful 11 years teaching in various day cares/preschool settings. I also had two amazing little boys and had the blessing to take them to work with me while I was teaching. It was perfect...the best of both worlds! It was tough being a working mom, but then my toughest job came when I stopped teaching to a stay at home with the kids...and became mom to another amazing little boy. It was an adjustment to being home and having a newborn again, but eventually, we fell into the groove of life.
I think life has been in autopilot for awhile now.
L is starting full day Kindergarten next year which means I have the whole day BY MYSELF!!! Now what do I do? Go back to teaching? I feel like I've lost my mojo. I was a really good teacher and I loved my job. I just don't know if I really want to back to it. That makes me sad. All I wanted was to be a teacher and a mom. How could I do anything different? How can I BE anything different?
Now, I am at the crossroads. Blogging, crafting, being creative is what makes me happy now. If I could just make some money at it, I'd be golden. I know it is possible and I am willing to put the work in to make it a reality, but part of me is still scared. What if this isn't the person I am supposed to be?
I'm going to use this blog as a platform to expand some ideas and explore new opportunities. Time to open up and put it all out there (which is what inspired me to blog in the first place!) I'm ready to find a new groove with life...so if you're reading, hang on and enjoy the ride with me!
******JUST A DISCLAIMER********
This pseudo midlife crisis will not result in a new 20 something boy toy...a fast, expensive sports car...or plastic surgery with new bodyparts :)
Friday, January 11, 2013
One Little Word
Anyway, it's a new year and I've seen so much about one little word. I think I know mine...
IMPROVE
I'm not striving for perfection (sheesh, I'm not that crazy), but I figure I can try a little harder to... be a better mother, wife, friend, daughter ...exercise a little more, eat a little healthier, pray a little harder ...unplug and do some reading, learn something new, be more present...simplify life, organize and keep it that way ...be a better role model for my children...find what makes me happy and share it with others....set goals and achieve them.
It seems like a lot, but one simple act a day could help me on my way to being a better me.
Improvement begins with I.
~Arnold H. Glasow
PS, I could improve my grammar...but I doubt it ;)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
