Menu Plan Monday #2

Here we go again Peeps! I managed to *mostly* stick to the menu last week. Wonderful Hub pitched in when he was needed in the kitchen too! Thanks!

This weeks menu is as follows:

Monday: BLT's with couscous.
Tuesday: Spaghetti, salad and Texas Toast!
Wednesday: Chicken Viola! (My easy day!)
Thursday: Tuna casserole
Friday: Left overs
Saturday: Grilled Pork chops, mashed potatoes and corn.
Sunday: Mom's day off!

So there ya have it!

Just so you're not all worried about me......I have been being a bit crafty. I have been making some slow progress in my scrapbooks and in the wool rug I am working on. We have been super busy outside enjoying the weather and getting quite a bit of yard stuff done. It feels good to be out all day, but when I come in I am exhausted!! The inside of the house sure looks like it too! I'll have to spend some time inside soon to play catch up!!

Hope you are all having a Happy Monday!

My dog hates.....

The camera!

How hard can it be to get a good pic of this silly dog? Here's what I was able to get......




Jeez Jackson, I love ya but sit freaking still!! Oh well......

If Jax were to talk like Sue's dog, Happy, he would say "Oh S#&t! The camera! My least favorite!"

Real men build things........

Whew......here's a quick idea of what we have been up to the last few days. I'll go into more detail later~
*Building new play set!*

*The finished Play Set!!! YAY!!!*

*Unintentional hind end shot, sorry Hub!
Here's where my new garden will be!!*

Menu Plan Monday

Where have I been you ask? Well don't ask.... It's been hugely stressful and I've promised myself that I am going to make 100% effort to get over it. Here I am, getting over it :)

Here is a new thing I've decided to try. Menu Plan Monday. I need to be more organized and budget minded. I thought this would be a great way to start, and also a great way to start a grocery list! If you'd like to join in please do. I'd love to see what is cooking in your kitchen!

Monday: Tacos with Spanish rice.
Tuesday: Chicken Pot Pie
Wednesday: Crock Pot Southwestern Pork. Recipe from Sue**
Thursday:Left overs
Friday: Grilled steaks with baked potatoes and salad. (weather permitting!)
Saturday: BLT's
Sunday: Hubby cooks!! ( hope you don't mind, dear!)

** Um, Sue? Would you mind re-emailing the South western pork recipe? I thought I still had it in my email, but I was sadly mistaken. Thanks so much!

On to other Junk. I had not picked up the hook in several weeks and my wool rug was starting to get offended. I decided "what the heck" and remembered that crocheting was what kept my little fingers busy and away from the cigs. I guess since that old habit has reared it's ugly head again I need pay more attention to crocheting!! The astronomical stress level hasn't helped in that department either.

Mental notes to self:
1. All I can be is the best me I can be.
2. Must make time to crochet.
3. Stress causes ulcers and mental breakdowns. We don't need to go there.
4. Keep looking forward.
5. Hug hubby. He deserves it!!

Spring?

Geez, folks. Yesterday it was snowing and today it looks like the middle of Spring! I think someone is confused!

I am welcoming the weather with a big wide smile and some internet research. You see, a nice sunny day is a great chance to give your horse her first bath; even if that thought scares the bajesus out of you.

You see, Sara, is scared of the hose. We have worked on this fear a bit trying to convince her that it is not the snake that it appears to be. She has a mind of her own however and now we must get more creative.

We have a bath stall at the barn that you can bathe in, well your horse can bathe in LOL. There is an issue with that too, which adds to the first bath anxiety. Confined spaces make it easy for her to smash me and create havoc, though I'm not as worried about that as I am in looking like a fool.

I've done some research. I found this very helpful information. I think that I will just see what she lets me do, and maybe push just a bit farther. She is ridiculously caked in mud, and sure could use a full bath though.

Maybe that little sweetheart will just let me do it. We'll see. I'll try to take some pics of myself for you. You should get a good laugh from them later!!

Wish me luck!!

Top of the morning to ya

**Cute pictures make to do lists easier on the eyes**

Not that I am over whelmed or anything but here is what my to-do list says. Oye.....

1.Cut dogs hair/bath
2. Cut Sons hair
3. Dishes
4. Laundry
5. Vacuum
6. Send deposits for gals summer camps.
7. Bring all books up and organize on book shelfs
8. Figure out something for din din.
9. Sit down with calendar and figure out next few months plans.
10. Buy or create plans for outdoor play structure.
11. Finish painting hall way.
12. Organize scrap booking stuff for trip.
13. Make Hay plans (as of noon they are half way made)

So the list goes on, but I'll leave it there for now.

I'll start with the regular house tending things and see what "flows" after that. I might just "flow" "myself right into my favorite crochet spot......

Happy Tuesday to you all!!

Lots-o-good News!

Hi Peeps! First, I extend my arms out for a huge group hug with all of you well wishers out there. I greatly appreciate all your kind words and encouragement. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Next, I am so happy to report that I am feeling better. I would even stretch to say that We are feeling better. Everyone take a big sigh of relief at once. W...H...E...W! I don't know what I was thinking to think that life was a cake walk.(JK I've never thought that) It is true that the tough times make the good ones better.

We had a serious family weekend. No one-on-one dates or time away. We just chilled out as a family. I even caught a glimpse of Hubs fantastic sense of humor on the way to the barn yesterday. That was priceless to me. We have a great little clan and I am so grateful that we can get through the mud and gunk together!

Here is a picture of us taken 3 years ago when Hubby was getting ready to deploy. Aren't we cute?!?

Next on the good news list is that I finally bit the bullet and brought all my scrap booking stuff upstairs and actually got some serious repair/redo's done. That's a huge relief too! I lost my sacred scrapping spot down stairs when the FIL moved here in November and I have been missing it terribly. Thankfully, after about 5 or 7 trips up and down the stairs I had it all (well, the necessary) stuff up. Now I just need an out of the way place to store it up here so the kiddos don't become curious.

Hum what else? Guess that's all for now. Hope y'all had a good weekend too!

Successful

Merriam-Websters Dictionary defines Successful in the following way:

Main Entry:

suc·cess·ful

Pronunciation:

\-fəl\

Function:

adjective

Date:

1588

1 : resulting or terminating in success successful attempt>
2 : gaining or having gained success successful investor>

— suc·cess·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— suc·cess·ful·ness noun

Today, I can only define success as something I am not. Isn't that crappy? It's a shame really. Previously in my life I have had some success. I graduated from Basic Training in the Air Force, which no one expected I could, or would do. I graduated from Tech school for the Air Force at nearly the top of my class. Both of these accomplishments are and were great emotional highs for me. I was able to prove a lot of nay sayers (including myself) wrong. I was good at something.

In a way I miss those days. I miss being requested by doctors to assist in surgeries, requested before higher ranking medics. The docs all recognized a success in me somewhere. They asked for me by name, a little E-3 pee-on over an E-5or E-7. That's huge in the military. I'm really proud of that.

I chose a relationship over those feelings because at the time the relationship felt incredibly successful. I had other goals I wanted to reach too. I wanted to be a mom and a wife and have a nice cozy family to call my own. I left the Air Force to be able to stay with my family. At the time it was a great decision. I still feel like it was the right decision. However, now I do not feel successful.

When I look closely at who I am, I can not over look the fact that I am a mess. I am an emotional mess, a physical mess, and in general just a messy person. None of these are purposeful qualities obviously. They are within me and they project into everything I touch.

Presently I am in the relationship I left the military for. Success? After 8 years I would say so. I am a Mom to the worlds cutest 2 kiddos. A success? For sure! Put them all together and call it a success? I'm not so sure.

I don't juggle well, and that is an understatement. I can not seem to hold onto two things at once and make them both reach their maximum potential at the same time. I try like hell, but always end up dropping one. This is why I bounce around so much. I get tired of playing Mommy all day (not being a Mom, just the variety that stay home all day) so I get a job. I do great at the job for awhile and then start missing being a home Mommy so I quit and return to the nest. This pattern has repeated it's self several times, over and over. The solution obviously is to pick one and stick with it. Well, I've done that. Which brings me to the next issue on success.

I've chosen to be an at home Mom. I do love it, and I cherish the time and opportunities that my Mom didn't have. I love being able to go on field trips with my daughters class. I am very fortunate to be able to be here for the Speech therapist when she comes to work with my son.
One hard fact is that this job I have does not project success. No matter what you do, how you do it, or the quality you feel about the job, it doesn't scream success.

In a way I feel success through my husband. He is a top notch, go to guy at work. If it needs to be done, he's there and accomplishes his missions with incredible success. He has the respect of nearly everyone in his division and he knows he is the thread that holds it all together. That is incredibly attractive to me. I live a career womans life through his eyes. Only he is the one really making it happen.

So what is a hard working, incredibly successful guy attracted to? Surely not the woman he returns home too who is exhausted after cleaning up the same mess every ten minutes, or the woman who has been so busy that day that she hasn't had time for a shower (sometimes in more than 2 days, eeewww, I know!) He returns home to a mess. Me. This house. This relationship. All of it messy.

Add to the mix a very successful woman at the same job. She must be a professional juggler. She is a single mom, a go to gal herself. She has her shit together. She has lost weight he says. She is his friend. She is the package deal. He would rather have a conversation with her. Would rather hear about her day. In the back of his mind I wouldn't doubt that somedays he wishes she was the one to return home too.

Guess what that does to the the fire at home? Picture sitting by a camp fire that is burning strong, you feel worm and peaceful. Now dump a pail of water over it and stir it up. What do ya have now? A big pile of what used to be something beautiful. Then decide you want to rebuild the fire because you miss it terribly. Except, you just drowned it, everything is wet, nothing will burn. You have no fire, and nothing to rebuild with.

Thats how I feel. I feel like the under dog to a situation that I have had a hand in creating. I am a smothered fire, sometimes you see a spark, but it's not enough. And what's worse is the fact that I can't blame her. (GOD I hate that) because she is everything I am not.....

She is successful.

A completion, and progress

Ahem....

Crafty Christy Proudly Presents......

A completed Item.

No kidding!

Okay- seriously, here it is. I finished something. (Thanks for the applause!)

The other day Son and I were in the craft store looking at yarn. He was being a great boy, staying right by my side until out of the corner of his eye he saw a Diego fabric. A Diego fabric with a ball on it to boot! He asked in his own little way for the fabric and since I am always adding to the pile o fabric I have I said sure.

Fast forward to last week when a friend and I made a day of thrift shopping. I found a great flat sheet with dinos on it. I knew it would be perfect for something, but I wasn't sure what. Then it hit me.

A blanket!

It's reversible, and instead of using binding, I just turned the edges under. I tied it with Red yarn and viola! It's done. Now that it's done, of course, son wants nothing to do with it. Figures.



In the progress made category we have the wool rug I mentioned in an earlier post. It's coming along nicely. I did make a boo- boo somewhere though. I can't figure it out, and I don't feel like pulling it out to an unknown point. It's just going to get walked on in the kitchen anyway. It doesn't need to be perfect. (Did I just say that?!?)


So there ya have it. Progress. Whew!

More Ink....

My hub is addicted to ink lately. When I met him he had 5 tattoos. 2 months ago he had 5 tattoos. Last month he got another, and today he came home with this.......

#7

In the old Navy sailors got tattoos of swallows because when they returned from Sea seeing a swallow was a sign that land was near. The swallow signifies a homecoming. Sailors would get one tat of a swallow for 5,000 miles at sea and 2 tats for 10,000 miles. The nautical star represents the guiding star that led them home, because in the days of sailing ships sailors navigated by the stars.

*dictated to me by my inked up hub.*

Shucks

I thought for sure I'd win......

I might change my mind, but for now I need to blog about this to get it out of my head.

Horse boarding drama 101.

First I should state that I am experienced in this area, and I mean no judgments upon anyone. I know times get hard. I've been in the bottom of the barrel so to speak. Thank God we are beyond that point in our lives.

Here's the problem.

A couple weeks ago the Horse dentist was out to the barn. One particular Lady whom I know from past conversations isn't financially "available" wrote out a $600 plus check for her 3 horses. Today, 2 weeks+ later I get a call from the Dr's receptionist wanting me to contact her for them as her check has bounced and she won't return calls. Apparently I am not the first person they have called for help either.

Since it's been 2 weeks, the receptionist/bill collector wants me to pass along the message that she needs to call and pay or the check will be turned over to the police and they will put a lean on her horses.

I don't want to be involved. I don't want to have to tell her. I don't want her to loose her horses or go to jail either. Add the fact that she is a military wife which makes me want to help her more (by help I DO NOT mean financially) but also in the back of my mind I know how much her husband makes. It's easily double what Hub brings home. (gosh, thats sad)

I have a past very bad habit of taking on peoples problems as my own. I'll run myself off in a ditch trying to help someone whom would not blink an eye if it was me in trouble. (FIL for example). It's a horrible problem. In a way- I am feeling good about this situation right now because I have no desire to whip out my check book for her. I do however wish to beat her over the head with it and try to knock some sense into her.

Must separate myself from the problem and hopefully not the friend. Is that even possible? Probably not. Oye.

So there it is. The receptionist has called other women out there and left messages. I know others know what the problem is. I however, have no idea what they're talking about........right?

Saturday

I'm getting ready for a breakfast date with the gal, Denny's and then a haircut for both of us. I thought I'd post before I forget and the next thing I know it's Monday.

Here is one instance that the camera actually cooperated. Or maybe it was my son that cooperated finally. Which ever, THANK YOU. I snap a lot of pictures of him and none really stand out to me. I really like this one!

Blizzard?

Where the heck did this come from all of a sudden? You can't see it in this pic, but it's coming down hard!

I hope it doesn't effect our horse time later!! That would be miserable!

Projects, Projects Everywhere!

As promised here is the current project on the hook so to speak. It is a Zippered Rug, pattern kindly mailed to me by Sue. Thanks Sue!



I am quite pleased with this so far. I chose the brown to compliment my newly painted kitchen and the blue to bring out the blues in all of the decorations. I never realized that there was so much blue, but I guess when you pull everything down to dust and clean you learn quite a bit!

I have never felted anything before, so if you have pointers please don't be shy. I understand that you wash it a bunch, but blocking has me confused.


Speaking of my newly painted kitchen, here are some pictures. Don't look at the smudges where the ceiling meets the wall, okay? It's already driving me nuts. I just have to see if it's livable or not. The perfectionist in me is screaming!

*Here is hub doing some touch ups for me, thanks Babe*

Also, here are pics of the decorations. Just in case you wanted to see.

*I made both the valance and the swag back when I got along with the sewing machine*

*The pic above is the one that is bugging me. Can you see why?*

*This is one of my favorite decorations. It's often ignored. *

So there ya have it! A newly painted Kitchen and a happy Crochet project on the hook.

Pic to Share

I have a post coming about my current project, but I have no pics of it yet. Check back in a few hours if you would like to see it.

Until then, here is a picture of me as a 1 week old Mommy.

Busy Busy

No time to chat peeps! I have a TON and a half of crud to clean in this house. Clean Clean Clean.....no matter how much you clean there is always more to clean. Ugh.....

Plus, I have finished painting my kitchen and need to get the curtains and decorations back up. Plus, I'll probably rearrange to make myself have more to do.....haha.

Laundry is going, dishwasher just quit and hubby is outside fixing his car. Well, instead of fixing he is upgrading.

Gal wants to have a friend over, the horse needs the rest of her hair braided. I haven't even brushed my teeth or gotten dressed yet. The Boy is trying so hard to be potty trained all on his own. It came out of nowhere while my Mom was here. Just another thing to add to the pile. I am so proud of him though.

Gotta call the gals school on Monday. She is not being challenged enough in reading. They keep bumping her up a level and she keeps on plowing right through them. If there is such a thing as being to smart for your own good she is definitely that. I'm not sure what to do. Hopefully they will have some great ideas up their sleeves.

See there, I said I had no time to chat and.....I chatted away anyway.....sheesh. Off to clean clean clean.

Do I need to say more?

Ladies and Gents, meet the next American Idol....

Lakisha Jones!!

To good for words!

I won't be able to adequately describe my weekend, I don't have the words and I doubt there are any out there that would project the feelings I have.

All of the planning credit goes to the worlds best Hubby. He researched, he did his homework and he pulled this heavenly weekend off without a glitch. I was so happy to share this experience with him, and am grateful that he would go to such lengths to prepare such a wonderful relaxing experience. A million "Thank yous" to him!

You need to take notes, or book mark or just spread the word. Do something. Everyone should live this experience once in a life time. I'm planning a return next year. For sure. I'll remind you to get your pencils ready when the don't miss activity starts. But lets start at the beginning.

The trip started Friday late afternoon/evening. We left our house and headed for Seattle to enjoy a nice room at the Hyatt. The bathroom was beautiful with a separate soaking tub, and a standing glass shower. The bed was down and super comfy and it was right next to a huge picture window looking out on the busy streets below. We were on the 14th floor which wasn't an issue til I looked below. Yikes.

We got all made up and went to Pacific Place for a very nice Italian dinner. We arrived just in time to miss the late dinner rush and we were seated immediately. Our server selected the very best red wine I had ever tasted and the salad was a perfect mixture of herbs and misc greens. Perfect start to a mini vacation that only got better from there. Our main dishes were delicious too, there just are not enough words!

From there we went back to the room and realized that it was only 8:30pm, so we decided to catch a movie. We called for the car (from valet, WOW, we used valet!) and were soon in the theater watching Breach.

I think I'll do a movie review in the next few posts or so. Trust me, you can wait til then!

The best part of the weekend took place the next day starting at Noonish. We drove from Seattle to Snoqualmie where we pulled into the Salish Lodge and Spa. (Bookmark this page!)

Hubby had instructed me to bring along a swim suit. (By the way- I didn't know exactly what he had planned) We walked up to the Spa on the 4th floor and checked in. We were split up to go change and then we met back up here:




There were two hot pools to enjoy plus a steam room and a sauna. They were all beautifully done and the scenery out the window was amazing. Soon we were met by our scheduled hosts. We were taken in to a room with a gorgeous wood fire burning and two massage tables set up side by side. Our feet were massaged in a soapy foot heaven and then we were instructed to un-robe (in private, of course) and lie face down on the tables. I wasn't sure what was coming. I figured a massage was in the works but I was so surprised when the Earth Cocoon started. Here is their description:

**Soothing purification treatment in the hydrotherapy rain room where warm mineral-rich mud is applied from neck to toe and your body is gently wrapped for detoxification and nutrient absorption.**

WOW! It was so refreshing! The mud/mineral mixture was so warm and smelled so great. After they cover you they wrap you up and you soak. It was perfect! Heavenly. We also got a scalp massage while we were wrapped. I think this was the highlight for me. I couldn't believe that felt so good. Whatever it was that she used in my hair left it feeling soft and smelling like peppermint. I really need to figure out what that was so I can stock up.

Next we were unwrapped and were shown to the shower to rinse off the mud. We dried off and returned to our tables for a River Rock massage. I had never had one of these either but I wasn't shocked when it was so good. The warm rocks massaged all the kinks out and then they were set on certain spots along our backs. Total relaxation!

After it was all done Hub and I looked at each other and just said WOW! The whole experience when the foot massage started was 100 minutes. 100 Minutes of total mind relaxing goodness!!

So peeps. If you know ANYONE, who needs a great weekend away. Send them here. They are ranked #19 overall in the States, and they also have specific ratings in the top 10's. It's worth every dollar, and worth the travel to get there. It's just amazing!

The post would not be complete without thanking my Mom. She came over to watch the kiddos so that this weekend could happen. Thanks a bundle!!

I'm a....

Devil of a wife.

I just like having fun. This year I had to step it up a notch to make it memorable. Hubby and I have a very nice ultra special weekend getaway planned so we are not doing the Vday thing today. He did give me a card, so I thought I'd return the favor in a bigger.....louder way today.

I stumbled on a huge balloon at the market today. It was shaped in a heart and said "I'm wild about you" The best part is that it has a music button, when pressed it sings:

Wild thing
You make me heart sing
You make everything
GROOVY...

You know that song? It makes me think of the movie Major League. Anyway- it sings it loud. LOUD!

Of course I bought it, and Duh- I brought it to him at work. Yep- his office was crowded, and do you really need to ask if I made it play? Common......... I think he'll remember this Valentines Day for awhile!!

I love ya bunches Hubby!!