Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year's Eve

For the past two years,  our New Year's Eve has been running a 5K at midnight through the Festival of Lights at Tanglewood.   I know that isn't everyone's ideal New Year's Eve, but for us it was great family time and seemed to be a perfect way to ring in the New Year.   Tonight, super-husband is working until 930p - so we opted not to do the 5K this year.  Instead, we'll be celebrating the New Year at home with a couple of friends  (assuming us old folks make it until midnight)   :)

I had to pick up groceries earlier and while I was out and about I stopped by the Goodwill Outlet.  Honestly, I didn't even know they had an outlet until this summer and this was my first time venturing in.  It's a Goodwill store with huge bins filled with miscellaneous merchandise.  (Note: make sure you have hand santizer or a pair of disposable gloves).  I didn't really see much that caught my eye - it truly is digging for a treasure.  BUT, I noticed toward the back of the store a lady unfolding what appeared to be a quilt.  She kept looking at it and I kept rummaging in the bins around her and eyeing the quilt myself.  It appeared to be in good shape and I could tell it was hand-stitched.  The minute she put it down - I walked right over!  I was pleasantly surprised -- it was super heavy; no hole, rips or tears; and while it did have a few spots on it - I didn't notice any weird smells.  LOL! 

At the Goodwill outlet, you pay by weight ($1.19/lb).  Since the quilt seemed quite heavy I was worried it would cost  more than I wanted to pay.  I kept texting a friend and she said BUY IT!    I was pleasantly surprised when it rang up for $1.19 plus tax.   Hopefully, I will find more frugal finds in 2013!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Visions of Christmas

It's hard to believe 2012 is coming to a close - I hope you each had a wonderful Christmas.  I feel blessed to have been able to take some vacation time last last week.   Super husband was able to have the week off as well.   It was filled with the usual busy-ness associated with the holidays, but we had a nice mix of quiet time too.  We hosted my husband's family on Christmas Eve,  his co-workers yesterday and will be hosting friends on New Years Eve - I love having people in my home!   

All of the Christmas decor has been taken down too.  To be honest, it came down the day after Christmas!   The 26th happened to be a cold, wet, rainy day and seemed like the perfect opportunity to take it down.  I go back to work on January 2nd and I feel like the house is in relatively good order.   I'm making a trip to the grocery store in the morning for "post New Year's" foods.  

Meanwhile, I'm trying to decide where to go with this blog.  I always have high hopes of chronicling life via the blog, but then I question why - or maybe I should have a specific purpose - weight loss, DIY, raising a family - or maybe I shouldn't attempt at all because I haven't done the best job keeping posts up-to-date over the past couple of years.   Anyway,  something I'll continue to ponder....
 

Monday, December 3, 2012

Menu Planning Monday

It's been several weeks since I intentionally planned out our meals.  Unfortunately, this often resorts to grabbing a frozen pizza or hitting a drive thru.  (dislike!)   In September, I sat down and made a list of meals we enjoy and threw in a couple of new recipes for good measure.  It totaled to be about 40 different meals.  Today, I went back to the list and picked a few for this week's meals.  No-brainer meal planning right?  :)

Sunday:  Grilled burgers and oven-baked fries (hubby also grilled wings - it is football season after all).  Tip:  If you slice the potato and then let them soak in lightly salted water for a couple of minutes.  They bake nice and crisp!

Monday:  Crustless quiche and fruit

Tuesday:  Sour Cream Noodle Bake with Salad and French Bread

Wednesday:  White Chicken Lasagna with Salad

Thursday:  I'm taking a friend out for her birthday, but there should be leftovers for family.

Friday: Pizza (We've been using the jiffy box mix crust & it's pretty good!)

Saturday: Stir-Fry Chicken and Vegetables with Brown Rice

I'm going to a friend's house on Friday night to work on crafts for Christmas & it's Holiday Open House at work (aka - snack day), so I'll be making some of these marvelous cookie/brownies "brookies" too.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

December Challenge


Last week, I received an email for a December challenge.  It was from the marvelous boot camp instructor with Mission: FIT.   Her challenge for the month - 50 burpees or 50 squats EVERY day of December.  You might be thinking - I'll be traveling or I'll have company - guess what, no equipment required.  Just motivation to set aside time for 50 each and every day!  I accepted the challenge and I hope you will too.

I opted for squats because I like them better than burpees and they are easier on my back.  I am making one modification and I hope she will forgive me for it.  :)   I'm alternating days with 50 squats and 50 push-ups.  Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd be able to walk by the end of next week.  You don't have to do them all at the same time either.  You can spread it out over your day.