Sunday is my birthday! My 32nd birthday to be exact. Usually I approach my birthday with the glee of a 7-year-old, where I can't wait to see all the birthday wishes and cards and whatever presents happen to come my way (hint, hint).
Last year I took over the entire day and told C exactly what I wanted to do. We went outlet shopping, then had amazing burgers at The Blue Door Pub, then we walked over to Sweets Bakeshop for dessert. That night we suckered my brother and SIL into watching Addy while C & I had a glass or 2 of wine and just spent some QT together. It was great.
This year all my gusto seems to have disappeared. I've barely made any plans and I certainly have not planned out an entire day. When C asked me what I wanted to do my response was, "Sleep in and go out for breakfast". Literally.
Side note: I really, really want to go out for breakfast and I'm not sure why. We never do and it just seems so decadent. Plus, breakfast time has the best food. Omelets, French Toast, Cinnamon rolls, etc.
Other than that, I've made no demands other than entertaining the idea of ordering chinese food for dinner one night. And C will probably let me choose the movie this weekend. If we watch a movie, that is.
Perhaps, at my ripe old age of 32 years, I've lost my oomph. Maybe this year is just an off year. Who knows? But I will definitely enjoy my coffee and eggs at my Birthday Breakfast!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
One of My Favorites
C & I have been missing each other a lot in the past few weeks due to my class, his conferences, baby sales, and he went to a Volunteer Firefighter info session one night too. This means a lot of single parenting, which isn't all bad. Sometimes it's nice to get Addy all to myself for a bit.
I think that C & I have our roles in place now. He's the player and I'm the snuggler. She comes to me to snuggle on the couch and read together and we watched Aladdin for a bit together the other night. She goes to C to color or run around out back.
It's not to say that C doesn't snuggle her or I don't play with her but more often, this is how we bond with our daughter.
Anyway, last night I was Single Mom so I whipped together an easy and tasty meal for me and Addy and I thought I would share. I seriously LOVE Meatloaf. I don't know what it is but it is DELICIOUS to me. But only homemade and with ketchup. I typically won't order it when I'm out to eat but someone else's house? I'm all over it. My mom used to make the BEST meatloaf and we have never figured out her recipe. I only know that it had oatmeal in it for binder.
This is not my mom's recipe, but it IS tasty!
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1/2 box of stuffing mix (I like the chicken or turkey flavor)
1 egg
1/4c warm water
1/4c ketchup
* you can add in onions or celery or whatever else you like but I usually stop here
Mix it all up and place in a muffin tin. I get 9 meatloaf "muffins" per batch. Top with ketchup if desired and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.
The thing I like about muffins is the portion size. One is perfect for Addy, 2 for me, 3 for C. Addy actually ate almost 2 whole muffins last night, she really liked the meatloaf!
I served this with salad and some mashed potatoes and Addy and I had a great dinner!
I think that C & I have our roles in place now. He's the player and I'm the snuggler. She comes to me to snuggle on the couch and read together and we watched Aladdin for a bit together the other night. She goes to C to color or run around out back.
It's not to say that C doesn't snuggle her or I don't play with her but more often, this is how we bond with our daughter.
Anyway, last night I was Single Mom so I whipped together an easy and tasty meal for me and Addy and I thought I would share. I seriously LOVE Meatloaf. I don't know what it is but it is DELICIOUS to me. But only homemade and with ketchup. I typically won't order it when I'm out to eat but someone else's house? I'm all over it. My mom used to make the BEST meatloaf and we have never figured out her recipe. I only know that it had oatmeal in it for binder.
This is not my mom's recipe, but it IS tasty!
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1/2 box of stuffing mix (I like the chicken or turkey flavor)
1 egg
1/4c warm water
1/4c ketchup
* you can add in onions or celery or whatever else you like but I usually stop here
Mix it all up and place in a muffin tin. I get 9 meatloaf "muffins" per batch. Top with ketchup if desired and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.
The thing I like about muffins is the portion size. One is perfect for Addy, 2 for me, 3 for C. Addy actually ate almost 2 whole muffins last night, she really liked the meatloaf!
I served this with salad and some mashed potatoes and Addy and I had a great dinner!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
This Is A Test
We had our first test in class last night and I'm ashamed to say it didn't go as well as it could have.
The truth is that I really did study. I spent hours going over notes and problems from HW assignments and in class examples. I did neglect to open the book because I figured that whatever he wanted us to know, he would have covered in class. I did lots of problems trying to get the repetition in my brain. I didn't think I would get a 100% or anything but I felt prepared and ready and somewhere in the 80% range.
And then I actually took the test and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to end up in the 60% range, which is not a good start.
See, this was supposed to be MY test. This is the first one, and the easiest one. This was supposed to set me up in a great way for the rest of the class.
So what happened?
Well, it's clear I should have done problems from the book. I would have seen a broader range of problems preparing me for anything. And apparently, he doesn't have to cover things in class that he is going to put on the test. We had a topic in our notes (the hand outs we get) that he NEVER addressed in class. So I didn't think it was important so I didn't study it. WRONG. It was the last question and I couldn't do it to save my life. 1 Question blank, 10 points lost.
There was another problem that I just couldn't ever get straight. I mean, if I had devoted an hour to just that problem, then maybe. But I just decided that he probably wouldn't ask that and if he did I would just be screwed. Welp, I'm screwed. Another 10 points gone.
So even if I did perfectly on the other 8 questions, I'm only at 80%. And let's be real, there's now way I did that well.
So now I'm mad and frustrated both in myself AND in the class. I am just so worried about this being a waste of money and time and I would hate for that to be true.
The truth is that I really did study. I spent hours going over notes and problems from HW assignments and in class examples. I did neglect to open the book because I figured that whatever he wanted us to know, he would have covered in class. I did lots of problems trying to get the repetition in my brain. I didn't think I would get a 100% or anything but I felt prepared and ready and somewhere in the 80% range.
And then I actually took the test and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to end up in the 60% range, which is not a good start.
See, this was supposed to be MY test. This is the first one, and the easiest one. This was supposed to set me up in a great way for the rest of the class.
So what happened?
Well, it's clear I should have done problems from the book. I would have seen a broader range of problems preparing me for anything. And apparently, he doesn't have to cover things in class that he is going to put on the test. We had a topic in our notes (the hand outs we get) that he NEVER addressed in class. So I didn't think it was important so I didn't study it. WRONG. It was the last question and I couldn't do it to save my life. 1 Question blank, 10 points lost.
There was another problem that I just couldn't ever get straight. I mean, if I had devoted an hour to just that problem, then maybe. But I just decided that he probably wouldn't ask that and if he did I would just be screwed. Welp, I'm screwed. Another 10 points gone.
So even if I did perfectly on the other 8 questions, I'm only at 80%. And let's be real, there's now way I did that well.
So now I'm mad and frustrated both in myself AND in the class. I am just so worried about this being a waste of money and time and I would hate for that to be true.
Friday, October 14, 2011
All Hail the Birthday Girl!
My birthday is in just over 2 weeks and I can tell that C is stressed about what to get me. He's been talking about it since August (!) but apparently has never gotten to a concrete idea.
So to make things easier on him, I heard on the radio that Les Miserables is playing in Minneapolis in December, so I told him to just get tickets for that and we'd go to dinner and have a nice night. And all seemed great. You could almost see the relief wash over him.
Until we looked at ticket prices. Man. For 2 tickets to a Friday or Saturday show, dinner out, and a babysitter, we're looking at a $300+ night! We can't afford that, birthday or not!
Back to the drawing board. For a while, C thought he would get me shoes, which I get. I mean, I need new work shoes, but the way I look at it, those are something I'm going to buy anyway. Shouldn't birthdays be about something I'd never buy for myself but want?
Then I heard on the radio again (It's 30-40 mins each way to work) that Aziz Ansari is doing a stand up show at Treasure Island Casino in a few weeks. Tickets are much more reasonable for this show and a night out should cost us less than $150 if we're smart about it. Plus, he likes Aziz too so it's really a date night for both of us and my birthday is the reason we get to go out.
So yay! A night out, a ton of laughs, and all because I was born! Can't beat that!
So to make things easier on him, I heard on the radio that Les Miserables is playing in Minneapolis in December, so I told him to just get tickets for that and we'd go to dinner and have a nice night. And all seemed great. You could almost see the relief wash over him.
Until we looked at ticket prices. Man. For 2 tickets to a Friday or Saturday show, dinner out, and a babysitter, we're looking at a $300+ night! We can't afford that, birthday or not!
Back to the drawing board. For a while, C thought he would get me shoes, which I get. I mean, I need new work shoes, but the way I look at it, those are something I'm going to buy anyway. Shouldn't birthdays be about something I'd never buy for myself but want?
Then I heard on the radio again (It's 30-40 mins each way to work) that Aziz Ansari is doing a stand up show at Treasure Island Casino in a few weeks. Tickets are much more reasonable for this show and a night out should cost us less than $150 if we're smart about it. Plus, he likes Aziz too so it's really a date night for both of us and my birthday is the reason we get to go out.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Baby Sale
I've managed to find out about 2 different groups that do kids consignment sales in the Twin Cities and they have been LIFE SAVERS. Or maybe I should call them Dollar Savers.
I don't think any sale will ever beat that first one. I don't know if I was just excited but we had the best luck that sale. We had recently visited a friend's house and they had this playhouse thing that Addy played with for over an hour one day. If you have a kid, you know how significant that is. But the house brand new is around $70-90! So C & I made it our mission to find one at the baby sale.
We did! I think we paid $25 for it. SCORE!
C & I have since developed a strategy. He takes Addy (usually in the backpack carrier) and looks at all the big toys, the strollers and the little toys. I run off and do clothes and shoes. Usually he'll finish first and come find me and then we'll take Addy out of the carrier and he'll let her explore the big toys again until I'm done.
There's another one this weekend near my work so C is picking Addy up from daycare and taking her home so that I can hit the sale on the way home. Being by myself means I won't buy any new toys probably but I'll come home with winter clothes for Addy and they also carry maternity clothes (never hurts to be prepared).
For those of you with kids, the two organizations are: Munchkin Markets (MN only) and Just Between Friends (24 States). Hope this helps someone as much as it's helped us!
I don't think any sale will ever beat that first one. I don't know if I was just excited but we had the best luck that sale. We had recently visited a friend's house and they had this playhouse thing that Addy played with for over an hour one day. If you have a kid, you know how significant that is. But the house brand new is around $70-90! So C & I made it our mission to find one at the baby sale.
We did! I think we paid $25 for it. SCORE!
C & I have since developed a strategy. He takes Addy (usually in the backpack carrier) and looks at all the big toys, the strollers and the little toys. I run off and do clothes and shoes. Usually he'll finish first and come find me and then we'll take Addy out of the carrier and he'll let her explore the big toys again until I'm done.
There's another one this weekend near my work so C is picking Addy up from daycare and taking her home so that I can hit the sale on the way home. Being by myself means I won't buy any new toys probably but I'll come home with winter clothes for Addy and they also carry maternity clothes (never hurts to be prepared).
For those of you with kids, the two organizations are: Munchkin Markets (MN only) and Just Between Friends (24 States). Hope this helps someone as much as it's helped us!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I Got Better
Whenever I try to think of clever titles, it's like this monumental task. My last post was all whiny and "Why me" so I thought I would let you know that I'm better now. Which got me thinking about Monty Python where they're trying the witch and the guy's all like, "She turned me into a newt!" and everyone looks at him and he says, sheepishly, "I got better..."
So, I'm better. This whole family/work/class/life thing is getting to me for sure. It's hard leaving the house at somewhere around 6:45am and not pulling back into my driveway until 13+ hours later. I miss my family, I am tired, and I feel guilty.
Guilty because C is picking up the slack from me being gone. He's Single Dad 2 nights a week, cooking dinner, entertaining Addy, cleaning up, getting her off to bed, etc.
What I need to focus on is that in 2 months, this will all be over. The class will be done and we can try to resume our normal lives where I'm home after work. Dec. 12th is the last class and I will have a final after that but that will be the last night I spend in a classroom for a while. I'm not signing up for another class when this one is over. Not for a while.
It's time to enjoy my family.
So, I'm better. This whole family/work/class/life thing is getting to me for sure. It's hard leaving the house at somewhere around 6:45am and not pulling back into my driveway until 13+ hours later. I miss my family, I am tired, and I feel guilty.
Guilty because C is picking up the slack from me being gone. He's Single Dad 2 nights a week, cooking dinner, entertaining Addy, cleaning up, getting her off to bed, etc.
What I need to focus on is that in 2 months, this will all be over. The class will be done and we can try to resume our normal lives where I'm home after work. Dec. 12th is the last class and I will have a final after that but that will be the last night I spend in a classroom for a while. I'm not signing up for another class when this one is over. Not for a while.
It's time to enjoy my family.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
In Which I Complain A Lot
I might actually throw up today. Wouldn't that be lovely? I feel awful. I felt bad last night and wanted to do nothing more than lie on the couch feeling sorry for myself but I have a 2.5-year-old and she won't let me.
Oh, and by the way, I don't know if it's a 2.5-year-old phase or what but she repeats everything 17 TIMES until you finally snap and yell, "YES ADDY, YOU CAN GO UPSTAIRS!" and then you feel bad cause you yelled and it's a mess.
In addition to feeling ill, I forgot my lunch today. Those normally wouldn't go together but I had some crackers in there that I could be eating to see if it helped but now I can't. And I have nothing. No apple, lunch, snacks, etc. It's just sitting at home on the counter going bad.
Oh, and it's my long day where I have class tonight and skipping it is NOT AN OPTION so hopefully I start to feel better or class will suck hardcore.
PS. I have homework due that I have barely started which is my own fault but we seriously turned in our last assignment 1 week ago and now another one is due?!
PPS. Yes, I am a horrible whiny baby. Deal.
Oh, and by the way, I don't know if it's a 2.5-year-old phase or what but she repeats everything 17 TIMES until you finally snap and yell, "YES ADDY, YOU CAN GO UPSTAIRS!" and then you feel bad cause you yelled and it's a mess.
In addition to feeling ill, I forgot my lunch today. Those normally wouldn't go together but I had some crackers in there that I could be eating to see if it helped but now I can't. And I have nothing. No apple, lunch, snacks, etc. It's just sitting at home on the counter going bad.
Oh, and it's my long day where I have class tonight and skipping it is NOT AN OPTION so hopefully I start to feel better or class will suck hardcore.
PS. I have homework due that I have barely started which is my own fault but we seriously turned in our last assignment 1 week ago and now another one is due?!
PPS. Yes, I am a horrible whiny baby. Deal.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Drama
Addy has this book entitled, "Llama, Llama, Red Pajama" which is a very cute story about a little llama who doesn't want to go to sleep. It all rhymes and Addy loves to sing-song along with the verses.
Llama, llama red pajama
Reads a story with his mama
Mama kisses baby's hair
Mama Llama goes down stairs
As the story progresses, the llama wants his mom and becomes scared when she doesn't come back and fears that she's gone forever. She runs back upstairs and scolds him, "Baby Llama what a tizzy! Some times mama's very busy. Please stop all this llama drama and be patient for your mama".
Anyway, the point is that there's some crap going on at work today and I just want to tell everyone to stop the drama. The jist is that we're having a baby shower for a girl at work who is expecting her first baby. We kind of put out feelers to see if there was interest and one lady said that she wasn't going to participate because she couldn't really afford to give $20. The co-organizer told her she didn't have to come and not to worry.
Well, now the first lady is upset that she's not invited and it's a huge misunderstanding. We're definitely not telling people they can't come. I'm not going to stand at the door and turn people away just because they didn't contribute. Its' about wishing a new mother well.
Ugh. Please stop all this llama drama!
PS. I visited the website and saw there's a book called, "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" and I'm dying to know why the little llama is so mad!
Llama, llama red pajama
Reads a story with his mama
Mama kisses baby's hair
Mama Llama goes down stairs
As the story progresses, the llama wants his mom and becomes scared when she doesn't come back and fears that she's gone forever. She runs back upstairs and scolds him, "Baby Llama what a tizzy! Some times mama's very busy. Please stop all this llama drama and be patient for your mama".
Anyway, the point is that there's some crap going on at work today and I just want to tell everyone to stop the drama. The jist is that we're having a baby shower for a girl at work who is expecting her first baby. We kind of put out feelers to see if there was interest and one lady said that she wasn't going to participate because she couldn't really afford to give $20. The co-organizer told her she didn't have to come and not to worry.
Well, now the first lady is upset that she's not invited and it's a huge misunderstanding. We're definitely not telling people they can't come. I'm not going to stand at the door and turn people away just because they didn't contribute. Its' about wishing a new mother well.
Ugh. Please stop all this llama drama!
PS. I visited the website and saw there's a book called, "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" and I'm dying to know why the little llama is so mad!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Oh My Gosh
I made this White Chicken Chili for dinner last night and words can't even express how good I thought it was (C agreed and Addy ate a whole [little] bowl)!
I mean, I could try to tell you things like
I hope you like it as much as I do!
Note: Instead of whipping cream I just added in about a cup of shredded white (Mexican blend) cheese and it didn't seem to matter. We topped our bowls with cilantro, more cheese and crumbled tortilla chips and then had crusty rolls with it.
I mean, I could try to tell you things like
- fighting over leftovers
- licking my bowl clean (that happened)
- stealing bites from my daughter (bad momma!)
- wishing I had made 1.5x the recipe instead of just one regular batch
I hope you like it as much as I do!
Note: Instead of whipping cream I just added in about a cup of shredded white (Mexican blend) cheese and it didn't seem to matter. We topped our bowls with cilantro, more cheese and crumbled tortilla chips and then had crusty rolls with it.
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