Recipes 2&3

New Recipe # 2- Spanish Pork and Rice adapted from a recipe in Betty Crocker's Healthy New Choices I really liked it and would be interested in making it again, plus it was a good way for me to use the 2 pork chops in the freezer. However, Richard didn't really like it, he's not a big fan of rice (unfortunate since I really like rice!) and Andrew's complaint was that it had chunks of tomato in it. I don't think the girls cared for it either. Oh well, maybe make it more as a side dish instead of the main dish in the future?

New Recipe # 3- Sausage and Ricotta Pasta Bake adapted from a recipe I've had for some time cut out from somewhere, maybe something to do with Tops or Sorrento since it calls for those brands in it. Anyhow- I barely felt like it was a new recipe because I've made similar dishes (pasta, ricotta, mozzarella), but haven't used sausage in it, usually ground beef. So a little bit of a change, and definitely the recipe that the rest of the family ate best.

Haven't been focusing as much as I'd like on the vegetarian meal each week yet, having surgery and recovering takes a bit out of you. I'll be returning back to my clinical site Monday- it'll be good to get the ball rolling again so I can move forward. I don't really see the subacute setting being for me, hopefully I'll find the pediatric rotation a better fit for me or be able to find something to do with this degree and knowledge that will work for me and my family. It's really my hope to work only part time once I'm done. Now whether that will be a few days a week all year, or working for a school system, having summers off, or perhaps another option I don't know. I just really feel the need to be here more, not less.

Happy Valentines Day- I feel lucky to have such a good hubby and 3 good kids.

And so it goes...

Am I a B- Mom????

So, raising kids can be quite thought provoking. Sunday I had my gallbladder removed, an unplanned surgery. On Monday I came home and Monday afternoon Richard left town for work. Although I was disappointed (very) that Richard had to leave, I knew we'd be okay. The kids are old enough to basically fend for themselves and Richard had told them that they really needed to help me out- you know the basic "If you see something needs done, just do it (before Mom has to tell you" talk. He told them he'd turn on texting again if they all did a good job. ( I think that was his plan anyway, but good to throw in as an incentive) Anyhow, the kids did OK throughout the week- got rides home from basketball practice, walked to school , Andrew helped Jayna make food, Jayna at least once started unloading they dishwasher and they didn't ask for too much.... but I was really thinking I'd give them a B-. They weren't bad, but I didn't really feel like they put much effort into helping out after the first day. I was left cleaning up the table, loading the dishwasher, had to get on one of them to clean their room... Anyhow, I thought I'd mention that I'd give them a B-, but then it hit me. How often would they give me a B-??? There are plenty of times when I do okay by them- but maybe not great. Possible examples? The times I don't listen to Jayna as much as I should because I'm trying to do something else; the times I let my kids have friends over, but am less than enthusiastic about it; the times I show up to watch my kids perform or participate in an activity, but am watching the clock at the same time.... I'm sure if I asked the kids the list would be endless, and I'd probably have more B-'s than A+'s. So I'm just going to keep my mouth shut about their perceived B-, because I know as a Mom, I want to be earning A+'s, but sometimes am only giving a B- performance. I hope to do better. I have great kids and here's just one more time they've taught me a good lesson.

And so it goes...

New Recipe # 1

It's January. The time of resolutions and solutions- however I haven't been able to pin down my resolutions for the year- I always have so many things that I need to do better at. But I do know that I want to try new recipes throughout the year, and include a vegetarian meal each week into our diet. So it's not the Julie/Julia project (liked the movie, but didn't love it- it was a little bit too much like real life (since it was real life!)), but I thought I'd review our new recipes throughout the year.

So not only is it January, I also live in Buffalo, NY. So Buffalo in January ='s soup!! Our first recipe is Quick Beef Soup from the Great American Favorite Brand Name Cookbook. I've thought this recipe would be good to try for a long time, but have never tried it until now. It's made with ground beef, seasonings, tomatoes, water, veggies, and some pasta- it calls for orzo which I didn't have, but did have tiny pasta shapes, including abc's. I wish I would have taken a picture of it, when it was hot off the stove, but I didn't and now it sits as a leftover in the fridge- doesn't look quite as appealing. The reviews came back mixed. Andrew definitely didn't like it. Jayna thinks I should make it again. In the general food category Richard gives it a 5, but in the soup catergory, he gives it a 9 ( he doesn't like soup as much as I do, so a 9 for a soup is good for him), Whitney said it wasn't as horrible as she thought it would be, but doesn't like it- but would prefer it over fish sticks. I have to say I was initially a bit disappointed- it just wasn't as flavorful as I like, but after sitting overnight, I had some for lunch today and it seemed a bit better. Will we be having it again- yes- because it made a ton and there's lots leftover- will I be making it again- probably not anytime soon. But it seemed pretty healthy so some points for that.

Reading now: The Oath, A Surgeon Under Fire by Khassan Baiev

And so it goes...

Well, after starting the holiday season with a little stress (previous post), it actually turned out quite nice and not so stressful after all! I enjoyed going to the stakes Christmas concert with Jayna and also taking small presents/treats to some individuals who could use a little extra love and attention this season- one lady from the neighborhood (who talked our ears off when Jayna was selling Girl Scout cookies) and one lady from church. One of the items in one of the women's basket was just from the dollar store, but she really thought it was great, and I felt good because I knew her well enough to think it might be a good idea.Those things helped me keep the true spirit of Christmas- which is something I always try to do, but for some reason it seemed easier this year, maybe more inside me???

Here are some pictures of the kids opening presents that were made for each other. We always pull names of someone in the family to make for. This is how it turned out this year: Andrew made me yummy chocolate suckers, Whitney made Jayna a coupon book (I'll play a game with you...) and a scrapbook, Jayna made Richard a carpet rectangle with "I love Dad" on it, I made Andrew a no sew fleece blanket (Really my "making" skills are very limited), and of course Richard made a super cool gift- I call it a Fairy Light, but it's a solar powered light, that glows in the dark.

Everyone got some lovely presents and I was thrilled that Richard bought me some jammies- he had sworn off buying me clothes, but maybe he's coming around. He did a great job! And the unexpected winners?? Flarp the kids all got a canister of flarp noise putty. Being called Flarp, you can probably guess the noise that it makes. They had a fun time sitting around having "flarp contests"! Only thing, Santa should have put some in Richard's stocking too! Okay, I'm hesitant to admit it, maybe I should have gotten some too! After getting played with a ton, it didn't last more than a day, but definitely worth the $1 each! The other surprise??? My new balance ball (which I am sitting on as I write)- has provided the kids with a lot of fun and an opportunity to try some new "tricks". Will all be fun until someone busts up their head!!

Well I have finished my on campus classes- wahoo!!!Still waiting for one last grade to be posted. It feels good to be done. I'll start clinicals Jan. 4th, definitely nervous, but also looking forward to it. I'll be doing one in a rehab setting (hip replacements are big at this setting), then a pediatric setting.

Nice having some break time, I'm trying to enjoy it. Today I took the kids shopping, tomorrow Whitney and I are getting pedicures together, next day I'm taking Jayna to the aquarium, and Thursday is Andrew's birthday/New Year's Eve. Plan on some one on one time with Andrew in January, just haven't decided what yet.

Did something new for our Family fun activity this month- we went to Old Fort Niagara for a Firing of the Christmas guns and walking around the Fort and sites there. It was a nice relaxing night. I like doing our family fun activities, gives us an opportunity to try new things.

Just Read- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - loved it, a great book, it's the 2nd book in the Hunger Games, I think I like it better than the first one even!

And so it goes...

Jayna at Splash Lagoon

Jayna and Whitney making cookies together
We haven't put the train around the Christmas tree for years, Richard did this year and did lots of work on it. It was nice! (He's cute too!)
Jayna in the snow

Andrew being goofy

Whitney at Splash Lagoon

Christmas on the mind and more

So here I am mid November with Christmas on my mind: Posing the perpetual question-how to not be so crazy as I hit this time of year. I love the story and message of Christ's birth, I'm a fan of Santa, I admire the zillion cute decorations and cards- but I don't love feeling chaotic, stressed by expectations, over budget, and unsure if I've bought the "right" gift.

Multiple dilemmas to overcome to achieve the Christmas Peace that I hope for every season. Any suggestions?

First Dilemma- I don't only have Christmas to think about, but Richard, Andrew and Jayna all have Nov. or Dec. birthdays as well. Sometimes we just buy gifts and then try to decide what is birthday, what is Christmas; I think a few times we have bought presents for Andrew after Christmas, um yeah, when there is nothing "good" left in the store. Bad idea. Jayna's birthday presents have just been wrapped- so at least this year there is no confusion over what is for what- ( although I still wonder - did we buy the "right" presents) As far as Richard goes, I really am a lost case when it comes to buying him amazing presents. But hey, I have to plead my case- I really am simple and inexpensive to buy for, and I like things that the general public would have an understanding of what the item is. My sweet hubby is a different story- what do I know he wants- a big screen tv, umm, I am a college student with 3 children- thus out of my budget- sometimes computer gear, or motorcycle equipment, but unless he sends me a link to a website, I don't really know what he wants, (oh and it will be more expensive than a bottle of lotion!)- and how fun is that just buying items he's passed on to me ??? I thought I had a great birthday idea for him, but no luck... So before I even hit Christmas with him I'm stuck working on his birthday.

Dilemma Two- Buy now and be done- or- wait for the best deals and for the kids to change their minds about what is REALLY important
So in my mind, it would be lovely to have all the shopping done by Dec. 1st. That way I could relax and enjoy the season ( okay, relax may be a stretch I have college until the 22nd or 23rd- but maybe I could be slightly less deranged)- But won't more things be going on sale- I am on a budget- should I wait and see what is the best deal????? Do you have any experience with kids??? What may be the must have item today, umm will be so last week, um next week?? Do I wait until I see what the new "must have" item is.

Holy Cow- writing this post is stressing me out!!! And it's not that my kids are totally crazy, but their Mom is somewhat. They don't get a ton of presents throughout the year- they have to buy a lot of what they get themselves- so the things they do get for Christmas, I want to be great. Then there is the other issues- do you make it fair by the number of presents each child gets, or the $ spent. Either way it can seem way off balance- one big presents to ten little ones, makes someone feel jipped I think? But if someone knows the cost of items is way different... Oh and then beyond that- the other questions- how do I make Christmas spiritual when my hubby is not into that side of it. How do I make time for special traditions when I'm going to school full time and doing everything else. How do I keep with traditions that we have done before, but now Andrew and Whitney are outgrowing, but Jayna would still like to do....

And the list goes on and on- any great ideas out there? ( And for the most part- yes I am feeling somewhat emotionally stable- well ususally)

Happy Holidays!

And so it goes...

Skate Park

So there's always been a few places that I just feel out of place in namely Computer stores and Hardware stores- thanks to my son I've been introduced to a few more lately. Hot Topic clothing/accessories/weird items store and most recently the skate park. Which was such a bizarre experience that I have to blog about it.

My son has recently picked up aggressive blading, and he has some friends that do the same as well as some skateboarding /bmx biking. They practice at a local school sometimes and some various places that they have found, but as you may know, skateboarders and such aren't always appreciated in parking lots (although if everything is closed, I don't know what the big deal is ) Anyhow, we finally made time in the schedule to take him to the skate park. He was going to get some equipment for his skates, (a friend gave him a used pair when he got new ones), then spend some time skating.

Let me say too, that initially it is was going to be his Dad taking him skating, but he was on call and ended up with 5 calls to do- which means Mom is left to the task ( of course I had to take Jayna to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. first) So after Chuck E Cheeses we come home, Andrew gets his skates and we head off. I just knew the name of the street the skate park was on, and the area of the street I was thinking of is, umm, well is a nicer area than where we ended up. Being disoriented, I about got crashed into by a bus, yes my fault, I think it was pulled over picking up a passenger and I didn't realize it, so I turned in front of it about the time it started to move forward.

We arrive at the park, the parking lot is full, so I had to park on the side of the road. First thing to notice - a police car is sitting out front. Hmm... We go through registration/waiver signing and he goes off to buy the needed gear. I was kind of clueless here, but he seemed to know somewhat what he needed, and a slew of friends were around. The lady is asking if we have an allen wrench- huh? But Andrew pulls one out of his bag. It took awhile, but between him and his friends they got him ready to skate. That leaves me to take in the atmosphere.

It was so bizarre- I was tempted to take pictures of the kids there, but thought that might be a bit creepy. Thus I refrained. I really wondered if some of them were dressed up for Halloween or something, but in the end, I don't know that they were. So here were some of my visuals for the night: the girl with gold and black tight and small stretch pants with red slipper like things,and a red sweat shirt (was she trying to be an elf??), the girl with a tiara and a fancy, short, dress worn with fish net like hose with big holes in them, there was actually someone in a "gumby" costume who was skateboarding, plenty of people with piercings and very black hair, neon pants.... So beyond the clothes I was also priveleged to see people making out- I thought the one couple were lesbian, but in the end, I think I figured out that one of them was a boy. There were probably hundreds of kids there- you can pay to skate, or you can pay $5 to hang out and listen to the bands. Truly the people participating in the sports didn't seem to be so weird, and were busy participating in their sport, not other "activities"

So the bands were awful- and I'm sitting there and I hear the one band member say this is a song about something that happened to me when I was 16- losing my virginity and it's called "Losing It" crowd cheers! Are you kidding me!! So as you can tell the whole experience was a bit overwhelming to this mom. For all of those kids there-how many parents??? About 5- myself and a few other moms sitting around reading books, maybe a Dad here or there. I wonder how many parents even have any idea what kind of atmosphere they are dropping their kids off into. Andrew has a friend that was dropped off there around 1 in the afternoon and was there when we left around 9:30. Not the kind of place I would want my child to be for that long unattended- even if kids are good and there to skate- too much of an ugly atmosphere.

Will we go again? I'm not saying we won't- I'm sure Andrew wants to. But we may avoid the band nights- and in the mean time I'm off to research other options- I'm afraid there may not be many. And yes, although it's a place I felt uncomfortable in- I'm still glad I was there for two reasons- one it was important for my son to have someone to take him to the skate park, and two just so I'm aware of what it is like.

And so it goes...

Reading now- "Banker to the Poor" (again!) by Muhammad Yunnus- excellent read, I've choosen it for book club next month.

Gratitude

Sometimes there is nothing better than gratitude to get your mind in a happier, better state- so here goes- although some of these things may have saddness or other negative emotions that could be wrapped up in them- I am really going to focus on the Gratitude part.

1. My father- in-law passed away this week. I am so filled with gratitude for his part in making my husband the man he is today. He was a man that loved his family and believed in working hard. My husband today has those same values.

2. Today my family had family home evening and I was filled with gratitude that this was a habit we started years ago. Although it may not be "traditional" it gives us an arena to talk about things that need talking about. If we hadn't started this tradition years ago I don't think it would be something that we would be starting now. So I'm also filled with gratitude for counsel of church leaders in encouragaing families to hold family home evening - and grateful that we had the sense to heed it.

3. I'm thankful that we had the opportunity to take my Dad out to dinner yesterday. He was having a really good day and I'm glad we could be part of it. It was a day early but we celebrated his 77th birthday. I'm thankful that he's had a long healthy life and has been quite instrumental in making me the person I am today.

4. I'm grateful for realizing today that sometimes when you are having financial difficulties it's not because you've done something wrong or were greedy or overspending- sometimes life is just like that. We've had medical bills, and car problems and visiting sick parents that have added up- it had discouraged me but I was able to realize that although we are not perfect at how we spend our money, we hadn't really done anything wrong. So I just need to make sure I don't let the situation overwhelm me to the part where I feel like I should quit trying.

5. I'm grateful for the change of the seasons- I love fall- I have often said it is in the fall that I feel "most like myself"

6. Grateful for good friends and family- although I sometimes have a hard time opening up- I have no doubt that I have people that truly care.

From Brainyquote.com:

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. Melody Beattie

The world is a better place when in all things gratitude can be found.

And so it goes...