Heads up... I'm closing the giveaway at 10 PM. I'll announce the winner (if I haven't collapsed in a heap of exhaustion) at 10:30
Yes it is that time again.
Time when I give one of you ten dollars in an effort to make your life just a bit brighter.
Here is how it is going to work today:
Leave a comment.
Make sure you DO NOT apologize or minimize your feelings! For real... you will get disqualified if you put any conditions on your situation/feelings. So DO NOT say stuff like "things could be worse" or "I know this isn't cancer" or "In the grand scheme of things this is nothing", etc.
If you are sitting there thinking that your problems aren't really that bad and you shouldn't enter this contest... well... you are exactly the person who should enter.
Learning to ask for help, receive help, and owning our own feelings are all important lessons. (Always the free therapy around here)
All I need to know is that life has been a struggle lately and that getting $10 would make you happy.
Anything else you include is up to you.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
By Order Of The Court
"See this? Do not touch it." Mrs F says to Mr F as he meanders through the kitchen.
"Everyone come here!" Mrs F calls to the kids.
"Do not touch this. I am giving this one away. It is perfect. No one touches it!" Mrs F orders.
This is the BEST pumpkin bread ever. I found it at Allrecipes.com. It had like a million positive reviews and it lived up to them. The best thing about this bread (outside of it's fantastic flavor and texture!) is that it is one of those rare and coveted recipes that actually gets better after a couple of days. So if you give things like this as gifts you will want to bookmark this recipe. I'm shipping a loaf out tomorrow!
Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread
by Laurie Bennet found on Allrecipes.com
INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
I have made a couple of modifications to this recipe. I use 1/2 c melted butter and a 1/2 c oil in place of the 1 c oil. I also increased the spices a bit. I used about 1.5 times what the recipe called for. And I baked this in two full size loaf pans... it perfectly makes two full loaves and they baked for about 65 minutes.
"Everyone come here!" Mrs F calls to the kids.
"Do not touch this. I am giving this one away. It is perfect. No one touches it!" Mrs F orders.
This is the BEST pumpkin bread ever. I found it at Allrecipes.com. It had like a million positive reviews and it lived up to them. The best thing about this bread (outside of it's fantastic flavor and texture!) is that it is one of those rare and coveted recipes that actually gets better after a couple of days. So if you give things like this as gifts you will want to bookmark this recipe. I'm shipping a loaf out tomorrow! 
Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread
by Laurie Bennet found on Allrecipes.com
INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
I have made a couple of modifications to this recipe. I use 1/2 c melted butter and a 1/2 c oil in place of the 1 c oil. I also increased the spices a bit. I used about 1.5 times what the recipe called for. And I baked this in two full size loaf pans... it perfectly makes two full loaves and they baked for about 65 minutes.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Milestones
I wish I had accompanying pictures for this. You all missed a whole heap of cute.
Yesterday Kid went on her very first real honest to goodness sleepover. She's had this same friend over to our house for two sleepovers, but Kid has never slept ANYWHERE without one of us. Ever.
Her friend had invited her, and Kid was excited about it, but also pretty nervous. I assured her that lots of kids get nervous and it is okay to come home whenever she wanted to, but that she should go and give it a try.
Her friend's mother also invited Baby. Now, Baby wasn't one bit nervous. She was quite excited about the prospect. She talked about it for days. There was no real way that that was going to actually happen... seeing as she's only 2 and wakes up at least 2 times in the night... but we let her go along. I knew that it was making it easier for Kid. And if you had seen Baby's little cherub face all lit up about her sleepover you would have given her anything she wanted too.
Mr F and I made a reservation for dinner (thank you Cougar) and then we planned to pick up Baby and bring her home for bed. I figured it also would be a good opportunity for Kid to bail out if she needed to without having to ask to call us (did you ever have to do that?... I did... and it was torture).
When we got there they were all in their PJs. They had just roasted marshmallows in their fireplace (how cool!). Baby had not missed us but she was ready to come home to bed... she was so worn out she actually fell asleep in the car. Kid was doing great and barely acknowledged us as we packed Baby up and hit the road.
But the cute part was watching them pack for the sleepover. Kid had a big rolling suitcase. She dressed in her BEST dress and even put on tights... yes... this is the same child who *cannot* put socks on by herself in the morning. Baby also dressed up... she wore tights (yep Kid managed to put tights on her too... hmm... I think I'll be a little less accommodating on Monday morning), slippers, a PJ top, and Kid put 8 bows and barrettes in Baby's hair. She looked special. She packed her belongings (several pairs of crocs, 2 of Kid's turtlenecks, a baby blanket, a baby doll pillow, stuffed animals, her halloween pants, junk mail, two necklaces, and a book) in a little wicker bin we use for books.
So as they came out of the house and down the front steps (I SO wanted my camera) they looked very funny. Kid was dressed up like it was Christmas eve... and... Baby looked like she had just escaped from a mental hospital.
They were both so proud of themselves and each other. They were grinning from ear to ear. I mean they thought they looked GREAT.
Later last night when we carried Baby in from the car and lay her in bed Mr F and I watched some TV. There wasn't really anything different than any other Friday night. At that time they'd both be in bed anyway... but... it felt so weird. We really felt Kid's absence. It was so strange. Mr F said "It's kind of exciting that they are getting older and kind of devastating. At least [Baby] is still a baby." "Yeah at least she's still small. If they were both seven I'd go in the kitchen and kill myself." I replied. We both laughed. But we also both had trouble sleeping. I got up at 3 and couldn't get back to sleep... it was uncomfortable not knowing that both my kids were sleeping soundly. It really is one of these big leaps toward independence. It is fun, and it is a new chapter that will bring new exciting experiences, but it also feels like we're leaving things behind. It's a total mixed bag of emotions.
Yesterday Kid went on her very first real honest to goodness sleepover. She's had this same friend over to our house for two sleepovers, but Kid has never slept ANYWHERE without one of us. Ever.
Her friend had invited her, and Kid was excited about it, but also pretty nervous. I assured her that lots of kids get nervous and it is okay to come home whenever she wanted to, but that she should go and give it a try.
Her friend's mother also invited Baby. Now, Baby wasn't one bit nervous. She was quite excited about the prospect. She talked about it for days. There was no real way that that was going to actually happen... seeing as she's only 2 and wakes up at least 2 times in the night... but we let her go along. I knew that it was making it easier for Kid. And if you had seen Baby's little cherub face all lit up about her sleepover you would have given her anything she wanted too.
Mr F and I made a reservation for dinner (thank you Cougar) and then we planned to pick up Baby and bring her home for bed. I figured it also would be a good opportunity for Kid to bail out if she needed to without having to ask to call us (did you ever have to do that?... I did... and it was torture).
When we got there they were all in their PJs. They had just roasted marshmallows in their fireplace (how cool!). Baby had not missed us but she was ready to come home to bed... she was so worn out she actually fell asleep in the car. Kid was doing great and barely acknowledged us as we packed Baby up and hit the road.
But the cute part was watching them pack for the sleepover. Kid had a big rolling suitcase. She dressed in her BEST dress and even put on tights... yes... this is the same child who *cannot* put socks on by herself in the morning. Baby also dressed up... she wore tights (yep Kid managed to put tights on her too... hmm... I think I'll be a little less accommodating on Monday morning), slippers, a PJ top, and Kid put 8 bows and barrettes in Baby's hair. She looked special. She packed her belongings (several pairs of crocs, 2 of Kid's turtlenecks, a baby blanket, a baby doll pillow, stuffed animals, her halloween pants, junk mail, two necklaces, and a book) in a little wicker bin we use for books.
So as they came out of the house and down the front steps (I SO wanted my camera) they looked very funny. Kid was dressed up like it was Christmas eve... and... Baby looked like she had just escaped from a mental hospital.
They were both so proud of themselves and each other. They were grinning from ear to ear. I mean they thought they looked GREAT.
Later last night when we carried Baby in from the car and lay her in bed Mr F and I watched some TV. There wasn't really anything different than any other Friday night. At that time they'd both be in bed anyway... but... it felt so weird. We really felt Kid's absence. It was so strange. Mr F said "It's kind of exciting that they are getting older and kind of devastating. At least [Baby] is still a baby." "Yeah at least she's still small. If they were both seven I'd go in the kitchen and kill myself." I replied. We both laughed. But we also both had trouble sleeping. I got up at 3 and couldn't get back to sleep... it was uncomfortable not knowing that both my kids were sleeping soundly. It really is one of these big leaps toward independence. It is fun, and it is a new chapter that will bring new exciting experiences, but it also feels like we're leaving things behind. It's a total mixed bag of emotions.
Friday, October 16, 2009
SOS... I Need Your Input ASAP
Is this shirt weird with this skirt?
The skirt is a cable knit sweater skirt and it is grey.
I love both of these but are the textures clashing?!
I'm leaving in 20 minutes!
Okay this is my other option...
Let me say that this skirt is lycra and tight... not obscenely but it is FORM FITTING... and I can eat as much as I want in the grey skirt. So keep that in mind.
Alright after putting these up I see that I should probably wear the black skirt. So I'm going to err on that side unless some sympathetic big eaters want to weigh in and support the comfy warm cozy grey skirt!
(pay no attention to the streaks on the fridge... I just told Mr F I never want stainless again... really think about that people when you get a fridge with the water dispenser)
The skirt is a cable knit sweater skirt and it is grey.
I love both of these but are the textures clashing?!
I'm leaving in 20 minutes!
Okay this is my other option...
Let me say that this skirt is lycra and tight... not obscenely but it is FORM FITTING... and I can eat as much as I want in the grey skirt. So keep that in mind.Alright after putting these up I see that I should probably wear the black skirt. So I'm going to err on that side unless some sympathetic big eaters want to weigh in and support the comfy warm cozy grey skirt!
(pay no attention to the streaks on the fridge... I just told Mr F I never want stainless again... really think about that people when you get a fridge with the water dispenser)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Third Time's The Charm... I Hope
Kid was sent home for lice nits AGAIN today. This is the third time in 11 days. I am being as careful as I can possibly be. (I swear!) I spend up to 2 hours a day combing her hair. I wash and vacuum EVERYTHING.
This is maddening.
MADDENING.
Her school has a no nit policy. Which is actually not recommended by lice experts since it results in unnecessary absences and treatments. So even if she's been treated and it is a dead nit that I may have missed from earlier in the week... and there is only the one... which they pick off and bag... she still has to come home. She's missed four days of school out of eight.
So I got her home and I treated her hair again. I spent another hour and a half going through her hair.
And then I drove her right back to school.
If she is lice & nit free why can't she go back? Why should she have to miss another entire day of school when it only takes a couple of hours? She can't possibly spread lice today. Their policy only states that if you have lice or nits you must go home and be treated. Which I did.
Everyday she's sent home is 40 dollars of tuition in the toilet. And thinking about that started to piss me off. So I decided that there was no reason she couldn't go back. She was technically lice and nit free.
I guess I have been the first parent to attempt this. They had to print out their policy and read it line for line... and... guess what?.. I was right... it doesn't say anywhere that they have to stay home for 24 hours. I could tell the office manager was not into it. She actually said..."Well, if you are to take this at its word then I guess she can come back. But, that is assuming you did what you say you did and that you aren't lying." Why the fuck would I bring my daughter home for two hours, wash her hair (as it was visibly wet), and then bring her back just to ... what?... mess with them? What the hell? I don't particularly like to accused of lying. It's not like we started this lice infestation. She got them AT school. So I said "You can smell her head.. it smells like the treatment."
She declined.
I really hope that this is the end of it. I'm also pretty frustrated because I'm actually treating Kid's hair with the medicinal treatment and I know of several parents in her class that are using "alternative" methods. I get that... I do... but when the situation is this bad I do fear it's only prolonging the infestation and causing Kid to go through more treatments than she might otherwise need.
This is maddening.
MADDENING.
Her school has a no nit policy. Which is actually not recommended by lice experts since it results in unnecessary absences and treatments. So even if she's been treated and it is a dead nit that I may have missed from earlier in the week... and there is only the one... which they pick off and bag... she still has to come home. She's missed four days of school out of eight.
So I got her home and I treated her hair again. I spent another hour and a half going through her hair.
And then I drove her right back to school.
If she is lice & nit free why can't she go back? Why should she have to miss another entire day of school when it only takes a couple of hours? She can't possibly spread lice today. Their policy only states that if you have lice or nits you must go home and be treated. Which I did.
Everyday she's sent home is 40 dollars of tuition in the toilet. And thinking about that started to piss me off. So I decided that there was no reason she couldn't go back. She was technically lice and nit free.
I guess I have been the first parent to attempt this. They had to print out their policy and read it line for line... and... guess what?.. I was right... it doesn't say anywhere that they have to stay home for 24 hours. I could tell the office manager was not into it. She actually said..."Well, if you are to take this at its word then I guess she can come back. But, that is assuming you did what you say you did and that you aren't lying." Why the fuck would I bring my daughter home for two hours, wash her hair (as it was visibly wet), and then bring her back just to ... what?... mess with them? What the hell? I don't particularly like to accused of lying. It's not like we started this lice infestation. She got them AT school. So I said "You can smell her head.. it smells like the treatment."
She declined.
I really hope that this is the end of it. I'm also pretty frustrated because I'm actually treating Kid's hair with the medicinal treatment and I know of several parents in her class that are using "alternative" methods. I get that... I do... but when the situation is this bad I do fear it's only prolonging the infestation and causing Kid to go through more treatments than she might otherwise need.
She Does Have A Point
"I have to take my underwear and pants off... my underwear is giving me lines." Kid explains as she drops trou in my office.
Then she strips off her socks and shirt.
"Your underwear is giving you lines... so.... you have to get completely nude?" I ask.
"It shows off my necklace better." Kid states and runs out of the room.
True enough.
Then she strips off her socks and shirt.
"Your underwear is giving you lines... so.... you have to get completely nude?" I ask.
"It shows off my necklace better." Kid states and runs out of the room.
True enough.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Brief Glimmer Of Hope
Yesterday when I was chatting with my hair stylist, as one does while getting their hair cut, the paycut came up and she asked about "Project Change" (yes I know I can't pinpoint a set name).
And then a moment of awesomeness happened.
I said "well, we should know if we're moving or not by my next haircut." And a happiness washed over me. That's not that far off! This has been a long drawn out process.... and it is not over yet... but having the frame of reference makes it seem much faster than it did before. By the next time I go there we should know. There is still some hope for us.
And how exciting would it be to be headed back there in 6 weeks with a mouthful of exciting news?!
Yes. That would be exciting.
And there is still a chance for that.
And then a moment of awesomeness happened.
I said "well, we should know if we're moving or not by my next haircut." And a happiness washed over me. That's not that far off! This has been a long drawn out process.... and it is not over yet... but having the frame of reference makes it seem much faster than it did before. By the next time I go there we should know. There is still some hope for us.
And how exciting would it be to be headed back there in 6 weeks with a mouthful of exciting news?!
Yes. That would be exciting.
And there is still a chance for that.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
This Week The Plan
Last week was kind of crazy what with all the lice interruptions. I was really wanting to get all the summer clothes put away and all the fall clothes washed and put in drawers. That is a LOT of processing. You've got clothes that are grown out of to store or get rid of, clothes that *might* fit next year to store, fall clothes that fit to put away and those that don't to store or get rid of. It is a MAJOR job. Well, the constant laundry & vacuuming & head checks (up to 2 hours a day!!!), kind of put a damper on my progress. As of today I still have fall clothes spread out on the couch. I did manage to process all the summer clothes and they are binned up and ready for the basement. Now all the fall stuff is clean and I just need to force myself to put it away and not continue to dress the kids off the couch. I even changed my own clothes over... but... they are clean and piled on the floor in front of my dresser. (I know how fascinating this is)
I've reworked our budget... and.... YIKES... we're pretty much negative unless I get my babysitting hours. Unfortunately my situation is all over the place. Ideally I'd like 3 full days... but some weeks (last week for one) I only pull in 10 hours and that's the minimum we need to meet our monthly financial output. Any little thing would put us over. We'll just try and toe the line and hope we don't have any medical expenses in the near future. As soon as we know what's going down in the near-ish future (still don't) I'll be able to recruit another kid or two (hopefully). If I had one steady full time kid we'd be doing alright... for the immediate term anyway.
I've also decided that I'm going to go for my body fat goal. Which means... since I can't control anything else... maybe it would be therapeutic to put in some solid effort and reap some solid results every week. You know? I kind of need that right now. In that effort I'm taking a 20 day challenge. I'm changing up my routine and giving a new one 20 days to sink in. I'm also going to go back to food journaling. I really don't want to calorie count unless I have to. I mostly just want to stay focused and accountable.
Okay yada yada...
Menu:
Sunday - black bean & turkey quesadillas
Monday - baked ziti & peas
Tuesday - cheap takeout/eatout for kids (read Mc D's or Cici's ... that's what we're down to) as I'm getting my haircut during dinner
Wednesday - molasses & sweet potato beef stew (batch cooking)
Thursday - potato & leek soup (this got bumped) (batch cooking)
Friday - pizza night
Saturday - crockpot chicken w/ roasted root vegetables
I'm feeling good about my freezer stock ups. I've got 4 beef stroganoff, egg mcmuffins, gingerbread waffles, chicken soup, italian sausage meat sauce for 2 dinners, sauce for 2 pizzas, rolls for 3 dinners. This week I'm doing the potato & leek soup and beef stew. It is a huge relief to know that I've been able to get so much put up. It is absolutely a pain in the ass to do.... but it really does make a difference... do it!
I've reworked our budget... and.... YIKES... we're pretty much negative unless I get my babysitting hours. Unfortunately my situation is all over the place. Ideally I'd like 3 full days... but some weeks (last week for one) I only pull in 10 hours and that's the minimum we need to meet our monthly financial output. Any little thing would put us over. We'll just try and toe the line and hope we don't have any medical expenses in the near future. As soon as we know what's going down in the near-ish future (still don't) I'll be able to recruit another kid or two (hopefully). If I had one steady full time kid we'd be doing alright... for the immediate term anyway.
I've also decided that I'm going to go for my body fat goal. Which means... since I can't control anything else... maybe it would be therapeutic to put in some solid effort and reap some solid results every week. You know? I kind of need that right now. In that effort I'm taking a 20 day challenge. I'm changing up my routine and giving a new one 20 days to sink in. I'm also going to go back to food journaling. I really don't want to calorie count unless I have to. I mostly just want to stay focused and accountable.
Okay yada yada...
Menu:
Sunday - black bean & turkey quesadillas
Monday - baked ziti & peas
Tuesday - cheap takeout/eatout for kids (read Mc D's or Cici's ... that's what we're down to) as I'm getting my haircut during dinner
Wednesday - molasses & sweet potato beef stew (batch cooking)
Thursday - potato & leek soup (this got bumped) (batch cooking)
Friday - pizza night
Saturday - crockpot chicken w/ roasted root vegetables
I'm feeling good about my freezer stock ups. I've got 4 beef stroganoff, egg mcmuffins, gingerbread waffles, chicken soup, italian sausage meat sauce for 2 dinners, sauce for 2 pizzas, rolls for 3 dinners. This week I'm doing the potato & leek soup and beef stew. It is a huge relief to know that I've been able to get so much put up. It is absolutely a pain in the ass to do.... but it really does make a difference... do it!
Today Is The Day
We're pumpkinizing our house today.
Stay tuned.
Damn labels are still down. I've been reusing when applicable but today I got nada.
Stay tuned.
Damn labels are still down. I've been reusing when applicable but today I got nada.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Next Stop
Colorado City
Kid didn't get why Mr F and I thought this particular hairstyle and outfit choice was so funny.
I'm betting some of you will.
Kid didn't get why Mr F and I thought this particular hairstyle and outfit choice was so funny.
I'm betting some of you will.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Today
I really wanted to put up a *good* post. Let you all know that this is really not getting me down. It's hard when I use this as a daily outlet to give the full picture. The news day to day has tended toward the bad... crisis management. But we're not breaking down. The good news is that crisis management is my skill set.
So in some perverse way I'm stimulated and functioning at my best.
Overall our house is a happy one.
Happier than most.
Mr F and I like each other. And we are in a really good place in our marriage. We're not letting outside stress turn into inside resentments.
And that is saying something.
We're on the same page. And we're making plans.
A lot of things have sucked in the past few years. But in someways they've freed us up... some literally and some mentally.
Having taken this chance to come here... and having it bomb out underneath us... but having it (surprisingly) strengthen us instead of weaken us... I think it has given us the courage to risk even more.
If that makes sense.
So maybe things will all fall into place. Maybe they won't.
And that's okay. Because maybe that's what we need to take the chance on making our own happiness.
Maybe what we need is to step up and choose for ourselves.
Maybe.
In time.
For now I'm making cookie dough for the girls to roll out.
I promised.
And they're holding me to it.
So in some perverse way I'm stimulated and functioning at my best.
Overall our house is a happy one.
Happier than most.
Mr F and I like each other. And we are in a really good place in our marriage. We're not letting outside stress turn into inside resentments.
And that is saying something.
We're on the same page. And we're making plans.
A lot of things have sucked in the past few years. But in someways they've freed us up... some literally and some mentally.
Having taken this chance to come here... and having it bomb out underneath us... but having it (surprisingly) strengthen us instead of weaken us... I think it has given us the courage to risk even more.
If that makes sense.
So maybe things will all fall into place. Maybe they won't.
And that's okay. Because maybe that's what we need to take the chance on making our own happiness.
Maybe what we need is to step up and choose for ourselves.
Maybe.
In time.
For now I'm making cookie dough for the girls to roll out.
I promised.
And they're holding me to it.
Friday, October 9, 2009
And The Universe Answered
A few days ago after enduring in a week and a half...
- discovering mold all over a basement & garage (and all over our stored belongings ruining many items)
- getting food poisoning
- having Putty die
- taking Baby to ER for severe allergic reaction
- Kid catching lice
I asked WHAT NEXT?
And in answer came the reply...
"10% paycut"
If you've been reading long you know that after all the cuts Mr F has taken at his current job in the last 10 months we are now at a 25% paycut.
That means our mortgage is now just about 60% of our take home pay.
That's not a good ratio.
I didn't panic when he told me. Instead I went to the kitchen to stir the soup and started laughing.
Because what else can I do?
I feel like I've been cast in a movie.
And I'm really hoping it's a comedy and not a tragedy.
We're still waiting on "Project Operation Change".
So there is still a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
But it seems that we are most likely a month or two from knowing how that will turn out.
If it doesn't...
we're selling our house (because we'll have to).
And we're buying an RV.
And you can't stop me.
- discovering mold all over a basement & garage (and all over our stored belongings ruining many items)
- getting food poisoning
- having Putty die
- taking Baby to ER for severe allergic reaction
- Kid catching lice
I asked WHAT NEXT?
And in answer came the reply...
"10% paycut"
If you've been reading long you know that after all the cuts Mr F has taken at his current job in the last 10 months we are now at a 25% paycut.
That means our mortgage is now just about 60% of our take home pay.
That's not a good ratio.
I didn't panic when he told me. Instead I went to the kitchen to stir the soup and started laughing.
Because what else can I do?
I feel like I've been cast in a movie.
And I'm really hoping it's a comedy and not a tragedy.
We're still waiting on "Project Operation Change".
So there is still a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
But it seems that we are most likely a month or two from knowing how that will turn out.
If it doesn't...
we're selling our house (because we'll have to).
And we're buying an RV.
And you can't stop me.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
This Week The Plan
Alright so I'm running a bit behind what with all the delousing and all.
Good news is that I haven't had any babysitting the early part of this week and I've been able to just focus on taking care of business. I think I've got a good handle on the lice for now.
I've also gotten started on my batch cooking and have been putting up one thing each day this week.
We also got the basement and garage pretty squared away mold-wise and I've been able to get back to my workouts. So this week has been a veritable pleasure compared to last week... even with the nit picking (literal) I put in 3 times a day.
Menu:
Sunday - Sausage & Onion Quiche w/ Tomato Soup
Monday - Beef Stroganoff w/ buttered egg noodles & peas (batch cooking)
Tuesday - Asian glazed salmon, fried rice w/ broccoli & peas
Wednesday - Chicken Soup & rolls (batch cooking)
Thursday - Tomato & Meatball Soup
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Potato & Leek Soup (batch cooking)
When I'm making a batch meal I try and make enough for 5 dinners. I serve one and then freeze the others.
The beef stroganoff was pretty good. Kid said "I hate to say this but the meat doesn't taste very good and is dry." But then she ate two servings. And Baby only ate the meat... so.... mixed review. The taste was good... I think we're just not all about the crockpot meat cooking... it does sometimes leave you with over cooked meat. I wish I had used a cut of beef with more fat & connective tissue. This is sounding like a bad review... it's not... we'll happily eat it 4 more times. I just like my old traditional recipe (Joy of Cooking) that just calls for sauteing the meat better than slow cooking it.
I'm making my own chicken soup and potato leek recipes... so I know they're good. I'm also going to make a big batch of rolls and shape them and freeze them so they're ready to get baked the day I want them.
I also made a big batch of Gingerbread Waffles. These are really good. VERY gingery. Next time I might take that down a notch but that is just a personal preference. This recipe made 18 waffles at about 200 calories each.
I'm also going to make a dozen egg & english muffin sandwiches and wrap them and freeze them this week. Mr F & I both really appreciate having a quick on the go breakfast. On days when I'm sitting it is very hard for me to eat breakfast let alone make it. I've just got too many people coming in and out at the same time.
Off to the library... more to come!
Oy. Spoke too soon. Kid is back home with lice. Not actual lice. But they found another nit which sent her home... along with half her class. Ridiculous. So I'm keeping her home the rest of the week. I can't have her continue to get reinfected everyday... and I don't want her to have to keep getting sent home (talk about shaming). The kids aren't even having lunch time they are all (the entire school) standing in line and getting their heads checked at noon. This is obviously not working since almost every kid in her class has been sent home twice this week already... and they've all been medicated (which we can't repeat for 10 days... and which I'd prefer not to repeat if possible) and nit picked several times a day.
Good news is that I haven't had any babysitting the early part of this week and I've been able to just focus on taking care of business. I think I've got a good handle on the lice for now.
I've also gotten started on my batch cooking and have been putting up one thing each day this week.
We also got the basement and garage pretty squared away mold-wise and I've been able to get back to my workouts. So this week has been a veritable pleasure compared to last week... even with the nit picking (literal) I put in 3 times a day.
Menu:
Sunday - Sausage & Onion Quiche w/ Tomato Soup
Monday - Beef Stroganoff w/ buttered egg noodles & peas (batch cooking)
Tuesday - Asian glazed salmon, fried rice w/ broccoli & peas
Wednesday - Chicken Soup & rolls (batch cooking)
Thursday - Tomato & Meatball Soup
Friday - pizza
Saturday - Potato & Leek Soup (batch cooking)
When I'm making a batch meal I try and make enough for 5 dinners. I serve one and then freeze the others.
The beef stroganoff was pretty good. Kid said "I hate to say this but the meat doesn't taste very good and is dry." But then she ate two servings. And Baby only ate the meat... so.... mixed review. The taste was good... I think we're just not all about the crockpot meat cooking... it does sometimes leave you with over cooked meat. I wish I had used a cut of beef with more fat & connective tissue. This is sounding like a bad review... it's not... we'll happily eat it 4 more times. I just like my old traditional recipe (Joy of Cooking) that just calls for sauteing the meat better than slow cooking it.
I'm making my own chicken soup and potato leek recipes... so I know they're good. I'm also going to make a big batch of rolls and shape them and freeze them so they're ready to get baked the day I want them.
I also made a big batch of Gingerbread Waffles. These are really good. VERY gingery. Next time I might take that down a notch but that is just a personal preference. This recipe made 18 waffles at about 200 calories each.
I'm also going to make a dozen egg & english muffin sandwiches and wrap them and freeze them this week. Mr F & I both really appreciate having a quick on the go breakfast. On days when I'm sitting it is very hard for me to eat breakfast let alone make it. I've just got too many people coming in and out at the same time.
Off to the library... more to come!
Oy. Spoke too soon. Kid is back home with lice. Not actual lice. But they found another nit which sent her home... along with half her class. Ridiculous. So I'm keeping her home the rest of the week. I can't have her continue to get reinfected everyday... and I don't want her to have to keep getting sent home (talk about shaming). The kids aren't even having lunch time they are all (the entire school) standing in line and getting their heads checked at noon. This is obviously not working since almost every kid in her class has been sent home twice this week already... and they've all been medicated (which we can't repeat for 10 days... and which I'd prefer not to repeat if possible) and nit picked several times a day.
Monday, October 5, 2009
I'm Just Going To Cut To The Chase Here
And tell you...
"I HAVE LICE!"
Yes you read that right.
Just when I thought there was no feasible way that my bad week filled with random crap could be followed by another bad week filled with random crap...
Boom.
Lice.
Everywhere.
I knew that for the last week there had been a lice outbreak at Kid's school... but... like everyone else I really didn't think too much about it.
Then this morning her school called to report that she had nits and needed to be picked up. I was met in the parking lot by another classroom parent there for the same reason. It appears they do twice daily head checks... that's how bad it is.
So instead of having a fairly easy Monday... a day I had hoped I'd get to use catching up on things from last week and recovering from the weekend's 2000 loads of laundry from Project Mold Removal... I ended up spending 8 straight hours stripping beds, vacuuming mattresses and pillows, couch cushions and carpets. Washing heads with toxic POISON (redundant? sue me) and then painstakingly picking eggs out of Kid's 3 feet of ultra fine hair (too fine for the comb!). I spent 3 hours on her hair alone. And then I did 8 loads of laundry. EIGHT PEOPLE.
Meanwhile my head was itching like MAD. I assumed it was psychosomatic since it started as soon as I heard the word lice.
Nope.
I've got them.
I can't begin to tell you the level of awesomeness I'm now feeling.
Before today I had absolutely no idea what went into delousing. It is no fucking joke.
And now on top of everything else I need to strip my bed AGAIN since I just laid down to read to Kid before bed. I've just recontaminated my own pillows!!! And tomorrow I'll have to do it all over again!
Seriously people... what next?!
WHAT NEXT?!!!!!!
"I HAVE LICE!"
Yes you read that right.
Just when I thought there was no feasible way that my bad week filled with random crap could be followed by another bad week filled with random crap...
Boom.
Lice.
Everywhere.
I knew that for the last week there had been a lice outbreak at Kid's school... but... like everyone else I really didn't think too much about it.
Then this morning her school called to report that she had nits and needed to be picked up. I was met in the parking lot by another classroom parent there for the same reason. It appears they do twice daily head checks... that's how bad it is.
So instead of having a fairly easy Monday... a day I had hoped I'd get to use catching up on things from last week and recovering from the weekend's 2000 loads of laundry from Project Mold Removal... I ended up spending 8 straight hours stripping beds, vacuuming mattresses and pillows, couch cushions and carpets. Washing heads with toxic POISON (redundant? sue me) and then painstakingly picking eggs out of Kid's 3 feet of ultra fine hair (too fine for the comb!). I spent 3 hours on her hair alone. And then I did 8 loads of laundry. EIGHT PEOPLE.
Meanwhile my head was itching like MAD. I assumed it was psychosomatic since it started as soon as I heard the word lice.
Nope.
I've got them.
I can't begin to tell you the level of awesomeness I'm now feeling.
Before today I had absolutely no idea what went into delousing. It is no fucking joke.
And now on top of everything else I need to strip my bed AGAIN since I just laid down to read to Kid before bed. I've just recontaminated my own pillows!!! And tomorrow I'll have to do it all over again!
Seriously people... what next?!
WHAT NEXT?!!!!!!
Your Life Sucks Here's Ten Bucks Giveaway
If you were diligently reading ALL THE WAY through my weekend post then you know I've decided to give away four $10 giftcards over the next 6 weeks.
The thought is that while I can't change the world, and I can't change your life, heck I can't even change my own right now... I can make you (okay only 4 of you!) smile and hopefully feel a little Furious love.
The problem is that how much your life sucks is completely subjective. And I'm not sure how I'll go about choosing winners. I mean I'd hate to take someone who is already hurting and then say "Oh you thought you're life sucked before... guess what You Lose". That seems somewhat horrific. So I'm still thinking about it.
And I have time because I've already picked today's winner.
Me, Only Better you are the first winner! Email me (mrsfurious at hotmail dot com)!
Last week I put up a post asking people to share their own "my life sucks and is falling apart" stories and Me, Only Better left a comment that really stuck with me. I could feel her level of despair and I wanted to be able to do something... just a little something... to make her day brighter.
It was that comment that inspired me to do this series of giveaways to begin with, so it's only fitting that she be the first recipient.
Since she's Canadian (yes giveaway is open internationally!) and there are no Targets (how can you survive?!!) I've thought of two other options: iTunes & Gap Options card (good at Old Navy, Gap & BR). Let me know which one you'd like!
THE NEXT GIVEAWAY WILL BE OCTOBER 19TH!!!!!!
So if you're thinking "But Mrs F if only you knew how miserable I am... I would have won this" Hang tight... you'll have three more chances!
Never before has having your life suck felt so good.
The thought is that while I can't change the world, and I can't change your life, heck I can't even change my own right now... I can make you (okay only 4 of you!) smile and hopefully feel a little Furious love.
The problem is that how much your life sucks is completely subjective. And I'm not sure how I'll go about choosing winners. I mean I'd hate to take someone who is already hurting and then say "Oh you thought you're life sucked before... guess what You Lose". That seems somewhat horrific. So I'm still thinking about it.
And I have time because I've already picked today's winner.
Me, Only Better you are the first winner! Email me (mrsfurious at hotmail dot com)!
Last week I put up a post asking people to share their own "my life sucks and is falling apart" stories and Me, Only Better left a comment that really stuck with me. I could feel her level of despair and I wanted to be able to do something... just a little something... to make her day brighter.
It was that comment that inspired me to do this series of giveaways to begin with, so it's only fitting that she be the first recipient.
Since she's Canadian (yes giveaway is open internationally!) and there are no Targets (how can you survive?!!) I've thought of two other options: iTunes & Gap Options card (good at Old Navy, Gap & BR). Let me know which one you'd like!
THE NEXT GIVEAWAY WILL BE OCTOBER 19TH!!!!!!
So if you're thinking "But Mrs F if only you knew how miserable I am... I would have won this" Hang tight... you'll have three more chances!
Never before has having your life suck felt so good.
Morning Pleasantries
Mrs F holds Kid by the shoulders and says...
"You need to sit down and eat breakfast.
You are acting like this because you didn't get enough sleep. Tonight you'll be going to bed much earlier.
Now sit down and eat.
If you keep acting like this you are going to... (desperately thinking of consequences)... regret it."
As Kid walked out the door this morning, I kissed her and said "It's been a real pleasure". Mr F snorted.
P.S. My labels are broken. In case you were wondering. I usually use them as a continuation of my post. Well it turns out you can only do that 2000 times. I'm trying to think of how to handle that. Until then I'll either be label-less or reuse some.
"You need to sit down and eat breakfast.
You are acting like this because you didn't get enough sleep. Tonight you'll be going to bed much earlier.
Now sit down and eat.
If you keep acting like this you are going to... (desperately thinking of consequences)... regret it."
As Kid walked out the door this morning, I kissed her and said "It's been a real pleasure". Mr F snorted.
P.S. My labels are broken. In case you were wondering. I usually use them as a continuation of my post. Well it turns out you can only do that 2000 times. I'm trying to think of how to handle that. Until then I'll either be label-less or reuse some.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
I'm Really Going To Miss This
Sorry... can't get it to upload vertically. Turn your head.
Translation:
"I will not go to Home Depot Dad."
You and me both Kid.
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