Monday: Beef/Chicken quesadillas, beans
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday
Wednesday: Pot Roast in the crock pot (BUSY day)
Thursday: Maid Rites, Lays potato chips
Friday: Sammies, chips, fruit slices
Saturday: Take - Out or Go out
Sunday: Sunday dinner with the family!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Menu Monday
oops! I forgot Menu Monday yesterday!
Monday: Mom's Night Out/Kids ate at my mom's
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday
Wednesday: Eating at mom's again. She is taking care of my nephew that day so we wanted to give the cousins a chance to play for a bit.
Thursday: Pot roast, rolls
Friday: Spanish Mac
Saturday: Sammies for the kids (hubbie and I will be doing a cleanse and not eating)
Sunday: Sunday dinner at my sister's home
Last night's Mom's Night Out was sooo fun. We went to Olive Garden. I always love Olive Garden. I ventured out and tried something new. Another mom recommended the chicken and gnocchi soup. It was sooo good. Shhh...I had 2 bowls! It ended up just being me, my friend and her sil that came. We normally have close to 10 show up but for some reason it was just us and that was just fine by me. I actually like it better in a much smaller group setting. You can have intimate conversations and get to know one another much better. I truly savored my night out.
Monday: Mom's Night Out/Kids ate at my mom's
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday
Wednesday: Eating at mom's again. She is taking care of my nephew that day so we wanted to give the cousins a chance to play for a bit.
Thursday: Pot roast, rolls
Friday: Spanish Mac
Saturday: Sammies for the kids (hubbie and I will be doing a cleanse and not eating)
Sunday: Sunday dinner at my sister's home
Last night's Mom's Night Out was sooo fun. We went to Olive Garden. I always love Olive Garden. I ventured out and tried something new. Another mom recommended the chicken and gnocchi soup. It was sooo good. Shhh...I had 2 bowls! It ended up just being me, my friend and her sil that came. We normally have close to 10 show up but for some reason it was just us and that was just fine by me. I actually like it better in a much smaller group setting. You can have intimate conversations and get to know one another much better. I truly savored my night out.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Not kid friendly?
"Mom, our house is not kid friendly like you said it was gonna be." Alejandro said this. Did you just feel my heart sink? My heart is still broken over him saying this. And mind you this was 2 weeks ago and it still has stuck with me like crazy glue.
When we lived in our other (too small for us, it's the size of a shoe box) home I would always tell the kids how our new home would be so kid friendly. How I wouldn't have all the "rules" I had used for the old home. How I wouldn't be so anti-shoes in the house. How I would be more open to kid mess and kid clutter. How I would no longer worry about the kids playing around the house for fear of them breaking something (they did. they broke a pottery vase that I loved that hubbie got for me at the flea market.) How I would make our new home a reflection on everyone who lived there. How I would make our new home "cool" to us.
From Alejandro's remark I guess I missed the point somewhere. I'm not sure where but I "get" what he is saying. I feel it in my heart. Its funny I was just reorganizing some stuff in the garage to be put up in the attic and I came across some "things" that I had bought for our new home. Some of it was kitchy, vintagey, yummy goodness. I asked myself why am I boxing it up and storing it in the attic? Why am I boxing up my dreams of creating a creative home where kids come first and decorating rules do not exist. Where a pile of leftover homework and a play-doh creation on the table is considered a lived in look rather than what I see it now as clutter.
It's strange. I think sometimes I wait to live the life I want. I wait for that right moment that never seems to come. Wait for what? I'm not sure. It really scares me sometimes though. Sometimes I feel like it takes something really major for me to make a move. To make a change. To do something different. I guess I fear others' opinions. I fear going against the grain. What if someone comes over and doesn't like that I painted my laundry room raspberry pink? What if someone comes over and finds an artist easel in front of the living room window and thinks its messy? Why do I even care? I don't know. I wish I knew. I mean truly I am the one living here. WE are the ones living here. No one else. So what if I like twinkle lights on and its not December? So what if there are kid creations taped all over the door for all to see as they leave our home? so what?
Maybe its because I'm a Libra? I'm constantly trying to balance the scales. I desire to be surrounded by beauty and order. I am attracted to rich, luxe style. I love the look of model homes. I love the look of homes in Dwell magazine. But honestly is that the way to live with kids? Do I want my kids to remember their childhood full of rules of don't do that in the house and don't touch that or it will break. Where is the line from living in a museum of stuff to really living? I'm not sure yet.
I have to admit I love the "Wow!" factor and I get it quite a bit in the new home. I love showing it to visitors and explaining what all we did. But I have to admit it does feel a bit "showey" and less kid friendly. It doesn't quite have that "Coffee haus, I wanna chill on the couch drinking hot chai or coffee and do nothing" vibe. It doesn't quite have that "I have 4 kids living here look" that I really want it to have.
My niece did make me feel really good though about my home. She came from out of town over Christmas and I showed her around my "palace". She loved it. Her and my sister loved it. I have fleur di lis (that I love so much) painted into my stained concrete floors. I also have fleur di lis here and there and everywhere. My niece loves fleur di lis as much as I do. That was fun. She hugged me and upon leaving she said, "I really like your home. It's modern, yet Louisiana style, but still homey, comfy." That felt really good. At least it felt homey and comfy to her. That is truly how I want it to feel. Homey. Comfy. Yummy.
I think I'm missing the Yummy part. Those little details that change a whole room. Those twinkle lights. Those funky frames. Painted walls.
When we built our home I really went with a neutral palette knowing that after living here for a bit I would be painting and changing the colors. Its always easier to paint over a light neutral taupe than it is painting over a dark color. I wanted to live here awhile and let my walls speak to me. I wanted them to tell me what color they wanted to be painted. I'm slowly listening...now just to get hubbie on board lol. I can already hear him now, "As long as you are painting it go ahead..and if you hate it you have to repaint it yourself." Ugh. Did I tell you how much I hate painting. I mean really hate painting. I practically painted every room in my old home myself. Hubbie helped but some of the rooms were done while he was working or out of town. I seriously hate all the mess that comes with painting: drop cloths, tape, dried out brushes, paint buckets, paint, the smell. All of it.
Maybe I can avoid painting for a bit and find other ways to create that vibe? Maybe I should do a search on apartment therapy ha! They have some way cool spaces there. I always am especially attracted to the kitchens as I spend some much time in mine.
Lots to think about and sift through. Things to ponder like: why do others' opinions matter so much? why am I afraid to just take a leap out of the box? why am I afraid of trying new things out? It's my home. what am I afraid of?
When we lived in our other (too small for us, it's the size of a shoe box) home I would always tell the kids how our new home would be so kid friendly. How I wouldn't have all the "rules" I had used for the old home. How I wouldn't be so anti-shoes in the house. How I would be more open to kid mess and kid clutter. How I would no longer worry about the kids playing around the house for fear of them breaking something (they did. they broke a pottery vase that I loved that hubbie got for me at the flea market.) How I would make our new home a reflection on everyone who lived there. How I would make our new home "cool" to us.
From Alejandro's remark I guess I missed the point somewhere. I'm not sure where but I "get" what he is saying. I feel it in my heart. Its funny I was just reorganizing some stuff in the garage to be put up in the attic and I came across some "things" that I had bought for our new home. Some of it was kitchy, vintagey, yummy goodness. I asked myself why am I boxing it up and storing it in the attic? Why am I boxing up my dreams of creating a creative home where kids come first and decorating rules do not exist. Where a pile of leftover homework and a play-doh creation on the table is considered a lived in look rather than what I see it now as clutter.
It's strange. I think sometimes I wait to live the life I want. I wait for that right moment that never seems to come. Wait for what? I'm not sure. It really scares me sometimes though. Sometimes I feel like it takes something really major for me to make a move. To make a change. To do something different. I guess I fear others' opinions. I fear going against the grain. What if someone comes over and doesn't like that I painted my laundry room raspberry pink? What if someone comes over and finds an artist easel in front of the living room window and thinks its messy? Why do I even care? I don't know. I wish I knew. I mean truly I am the one living here. WE are the ones living here. No one else. So what if I like twinkle lights on and its not December? So what if there are kid creations taped all over the door for all to see as they leave our home? so what?
Maybe its because I'm a Libra? I'm constantly trying to balance the scales. I desire to be surrounded by beauty and order. I am attracted to rich, luxe style. I love the look of model homes. I love the look of homes in Dwell magazine. But honestly is that the way to live with kids? Do I want my kids to remember their childhood full of rules of don't do that in the house and don't touch that or it will break. Where is the line from living in a museum of stuff to really living? I'm not sure yet.
I have to admit I love the "Wow!" factor and I get it quite a bit in the new home. I love showing it to visitors and explaining what all we did. But I have to admit it does feel a bit "showey" and less kid friendly. It doesn't quite have that "Coffee haus, I wanna chill on the couch drinking hot chai or coffee and do nothing" vibe. It doesn't quite have that "I have 4 kids living here look" that I really want it to have.
My niece did make me feel really good though about my home. She came from out of town over Christmas and I showed her around my "palace". She loved it. Her and my sister loved it. I have fleur di lis (that I love so much) painted into my stained concrete floors. I also have fleur di lis here and there and everywhere. My niece loves fleur di lis as much as I do. That was fun. She hugged me and upon leaving she said, "I really like your home. It's modern, yet Louisiana style, but still homey, comfy." That felt really good. At least it felt homey and comfy to her. That is truly how I want it to feel. Homey. Comfy. Yummy.
I think I'm missing the Yummy part. Those little details that change a whole room. Those twinkle lights. Those funky frames. Painted walls.
When we built our home I really went with a neutral palette knowing that after living here for a bit I would be painting and changing the colors. Its always easier to paint over a light neutral taupe than it is painting over a dark color. I wanted to live here awhile and let my walls speak to me. I wanted them to tell me what color they wanted to be painted. I'm slowly listening...now just to get hubbie on board lol. I can already hear him now, "As long as you are painting it go ahead..and if you hate it you have to repaint it yourself." Ugh. Did I tell you how much I hate painting. I mean really hate painting. I practically painted every room in my old home myself. Hubbie helped but some of the rooms were done while he was working or out of town. I seriously hate all the mess that comes with painting: drop cloths, tape, dried out brushes, paint buckets, paint, the smell. All of it.
Maybe I can avoid painting for a bit and find other ways to create that vibe? Maybe I should do a search on apartment therapy ha! They have some way cool spaces there. I always am especially attracted to the kitchens as I spend some much time in mine.
Lots to think about and sift through. Things to ponder like: why do others' opinions matter so much? why am I afraid to just take a leap out of the box? why am I afraid of trying new things out? It's my home. what am I afraid of?
I have a cleansing buddy
My dear hubbie! I told him last night that I really felt like I needed to do a cleanse. I'm finally at a place in my life where I am not pregnant or nursing a child. So its time for me to take care of me. I couldn't believe it when I heard him say he wanted to do it with me. Really? Voluntarily fast for 24 hours and feel yucky and detox with moi? Yep. He is in.
So today I went to my discount health food store and stocked up. Cayenne pepper, celtic sea salt, veggie broth, digestive enzymes, digestive tea, herbal laxative tea, a whole cart full of "cleansing" stuff and real food to keep us healthy once we are done.
I have to admit I am a bit leery of doing this. I'm scared actually. *Artist* freaked me out a bit. She said, "cayenne pepper? isn't that like really spicy?" Ok. I'm concerned now lol. Thank goodness I have a whole week to get into the mindset of really doing this. Am I going to do it though? Thank goodness for this blog. It will hold me accountable to doing it for sure.
So today I went to my discount health food store and stocked up. Cayenne pepper, celtic sea salt, veggie broth, digestive enzymes, digestive tea, herbal laxative tea, a whole cart full of "cleansing" stuff and real food to keep us healthy once we are done.
I have to admit I am a bit leery of doing this. I'm scared actually. *Artist* freaked me out a bit. She said, "cayenne pepper? isn't that like really spicy?" Ok. I'm concerned now lol. Thank goodness I have a whole week to get into the mindset of really doing this. Am I going to do it though? Thank goodness for this blog. It will hold me accountable to doing it for sure.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Cleansing
I don't know what is going on with me lately. I'm in a weird place. I've been thinking a lot about my life. Where it's taking me. Where it's gone. What I have done and what I could be doing better. Just a lot moving around in my head. My hubbie and kids have noticed it too. They keep commenting on how "quite" I have been and am not as chatty as usual. Just too busy thinking in my head.
I had a horrible annual doc visit last Friday. It did not go well at all. I'll blog about it later. I'm still processing it all but defintitely have come to the conclusion that I'll be needing a new doctor.
I have been having some colon issues lately namely constipation. I just can't seem to be "regular." It's really weird feeling this way given the fact that I have committed to working out 5-7 days a week and am drinking more water than I ever have before. You would think that would get things moving but its not. I have been reading about a few others doing "cleanses" and my own sil and bil have done one themselves. I am seriously contemplating doing a 24 hour cleanse next weekend just to give my body a rest.
I'm going to the health food store tomorrow to "stock" up on some goodies i will need. Namely celtic sea salt, cayenne pepper, organic veggie broth, and a herbal laxative tea. I am hoping this will help me with my cleanse. I'll be spending the better part of the week really mentally preparing for what I am about to do. There is no reason doing it unless I am going to be seriously committed to balancing my health out.
After the cleanse I plan to ease back into food and hopefully cut the junk out. Notice I said hopefully? See what I mean by needing this week to mentally prepare for this. I should be saying I am cutting the crap out but instead I am saying hopefully right now. Its hard. I love food. I really do. But I love the wrong kinds of food and with my recent visit to the doc my health depends on my nutrition, working out, and taking care of myself.
I need to do this. I have to do this. I must do this.
I had a horrible annual doc visit last Friday. It did not go well at all. I'll blog about it later. I'm still processing it all but defintitely have come to the conclusion that I'll be needing a new doctor.
I have been having some colon issues lately namely constipation. I just can't seem to be "regular." It's really weird feeling this way given the fact that I have committed to working out 5-7 days a week and am drinking more water than I ever have before. You would think that would get things moving but its not. I have been reading about a few others doing "cleanses" and my own sil and bil have done one themselves. I am seriously contemplating doing a 24 hour cleanse next weekend just to give my body a rest.
I'm going to the health food store tomorrow to "stock" up on some goodies i will need. Namely celtic sea salt, cayenne pepper, organic veggie broth, and a herbal laxative tea. I am hoping this will help me with my cleanse. I'll be spending the better part of the week really mentally preparing for what I am about to do. There is no reason doing it unless I am going to be seriously committed to balancing my health out.
After the cleanse I plan to ease back into food and hopefully cut the junk out. Notice I said hopefully? See what I mean by needing this week to mentally prepare for this. I should be saying I am cutting the crap out but instead I am saying hopefully right now. Its hard. I love food. I really do. But I love the wrong kinds of food and with my recent visit to the doc my health depends on my nutrition, working out, and taking care of myself.
I need to do this. I have to do this. I must do this.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
New! Family blog
I did it! I created a family digital scrapbook aka blog. I am so excited. I finally convinced hubbie to let me capture our family's day to day lives. He does not get the whole blogging thing though. He does not understand why I would want to talk about what is going on in the day and show pictures of it. However, I told him its the best way for us to preserve our family memories and remember what happened when and to whom. As a compromise he is allowing me to keep a family blog chockfull of pictures and stories as long as I set it to private :-( I hate putting a block on it but he was so hesitant to let me have one that this was the only way he felt ok with it. So...if you read my blog here or follow it I would love, love, love to have you visit me and my family on my other blog: From Crayons to Ipods.
I know, I know...From crayons to ipods? what does that mean? Well it sums up my life perfectly right now. I have a teenager in high school listening to her ipod and a preschooler at home with me coloring with her crayons. I straddle 2 worlds: teenagers and babies. So that is why that title seemed to sum up my life perfectly.
Ok, since the blog is private I will need your email addie so that I can email you and invite to view my blog. You can either leave your addie here in the comment section or feel free to email me at: helendlc4@yahoo.com
I will quickly get an invite out to you.
As far as this blog goes...I'm thinking about keeping it the way it is ie: me rambling on about me...it helps me sort out all the muck in my brain and I do like seeing what I ate from menu mondays. Although from seeing that i'm thinking we need a little more variety ha! From crayons to ipods will be a family photo journal. Anything that I want to capture particularly the mundane stuff I will. I have learned way too fast that time speeds by and its those "little" memories like dirty hands or scraps of paper on the floor that I don't want to forget. My "baby" is now 15 and in high school. I have 3 years left with this incredible amazing being...It's taught me that if I don't capture these moments now I never will..
I hope to see everyone at my new blog and please leave me a comment and if you too have a blog leave me a link. I would love to read them!
Love you all!! xo
I know, I know...From crayons to ipods? what does that mean? Well it sums up my life perfectly right now. I have a teenager in high school listening to her ipod and a preschooler at home with me coloring with her crayons. I straddle 2 worlds: teenagers and babies. So that is why that title seemed to sum up my life perfectly.
Ok, since the blog is private I will need your email addie so that I can email you and invite to view my blog. You can either leave your addie here in the comment section or feel free to email me at: helendlc4@yahoo.com
I will quickly get an invite out to you.
As far as this blog goes...I'm thinking about keeping it the way it is ie: me rambling on about me...it helps me sort out all the muck in my brain and I do like seeing what I ate from menu mondays. Although from seeing that i'm thinking we need a little more variety ha! From crayons to ipods will be a family photo journal. Anything that I want to capture particularly the mundane stuff I will. I have learned way too fast that time speeds by and its those "little" memories like dirty hands or scraps of paper on the floor that I don't want to forget. My "baby" is now 15 and in high school. I have 3 years left with this incredible amazing being...It's taught me that if I don't capture these moments now I never will..
I hope to see everyone at my new blog and please leave me a comment and if you too have a blog leave me a link. I would love to read them!
Love you all!! xo
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