Anxiety

By definition, anxiety means 1 a: painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill b: fearful concern or interest c: a cause of anxiety2: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

Geesh - just by definition it seems like something we would want to steer away from huh? So, why do we get ourselves tangled into the mess? I've had several anxious moments over the past 6-8 months. For some reason, this week a couple have weighed exceptionally hard on me. Last night at church, imagine my surprise when the pastor spoke on -- you guessed it? Anxiety! If there was every a time that I felt like a message was prepared for no one else but me - that was it! I was on the verge of tears for the timeliness of the message - I almost talked myself out of going last night. "I needed a mental break." Imagine the blessing I would have missed had I stayed at home.

The message centered around Phillipians 4:6-7. There was no exceptionally profound theological message - just some basic nuts and bolts. I pray that God will help me stay focused on the message last night and what I need to do, so HE can do his work in me.

Menu Plan Monday (arrives a day late)!

Believe it or not, I really do like to be on time! Things went somewhat according to plan last week - dealing with various life "stressors" threw a couple of dents in the plan, but overall we did well. To be completely honest, I haven't completely mapped this week out.

Monday - Chicken Broccoli Ring (modified Pampered Chef recipe); peaches

Tuesday - Spaghetti

Wednesday - fellowship meal at church

Thursday - meeting friends for dinner

Friday - sandwiches

Saturday - will update later this week!

Sunday - depends on what's on sale this week!

I wish I was better organized so when the stress of life hits - I'm not frantically trying to get meals together!

The Spirit of a Child

Things I've Learned from my "Spirited" Child

I wish I had the care-free spirit that washed the stress of the world away

I wish I was so comfortable in my own skin that I could "beat to my own drum"

I wish I could speak as honestly as he does without worrying about what other people think

I wish I could be as happy playing with a empty paper towel tube and big box

I wish I was as imaginative and creative

I am so thankful that he is our super-son. I am thankful he has a teacher who doesn't see children as "cookie-cutters" - they are each unique, special and individual in their on way. I pray that God will teach to me be the loving mom he needs with a "spirit" that will harmonize with his.

Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up

1 lb lean hamburger (93/7 or less)
4 oz Velveeta Light (cut into small cubes)
3 TBL Hormel Real Bacon Bits (I buy the large bags at Sam’s b/c I use them for lots of things)
1 can Pillsbury reduced fat crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 400. Cook beef until browned evenly. Drain meat and return to skillet. Add Velveeta and bacon bits. Cook until Velveeta completely melted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside. Unroll crescent rolls onto baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Press into a 15 x 8 rectangle. Top evenly with meat mixture. Roll-up dough starting with the long sides. Bake seam side down for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Serving size = 1/6 of roll. (1 serving = 7 Weight Watcher points). I usually serving with Bush’s Vegetarian Baked Beans (which are low fat and low in points) and applesauce.

92 Days until Christmas...

Seriously? Only 92 days - wow... I saw the sign posted on a doorway here in the office. So, I started thinking - what can we do differently this year? I'm voting for a cash-only Christmas. Ok - let me explain - that sounds like I'm asking for cash only gifts! No, no, no! Actually, I don't need a thing my family's health and happiness are good enough for me.

BUT, we have decided to buy with cash only this year - no plastic! I realize for most people that's not a big deal, but we are trying very hard to adhere to a budget and move toward being debt-free. So - this is a BIG baby-step for us. (I'm waiting on the library to call and tell me the Dave Ramsey book is ready for me to pick-up!).

This next question - where will the money come from? Well, super-husband started a new job in July. We are having money from each paycheck put into a Medical Care Expenses account (they take the money out pre-tax; we submit receipts and are reimbursed for what we've spent). If we hold all our receipts until the end of November, we will be able to submit a little over $300 which will be back just in time for holiday shopping. "Santa" has a Best Buy gift card that he will be using to pay for most of super-son's BIG item.

Do you have money-saving tips for Christmas? I'd love to hear about them!

Menu Plan Monday

This is my second week of menu-planning. What did I learn last week? Well, it was great to come home from work and have a plan. A couple of days, I made something other than planned, but it was with ingredients already on hand (so no extra money spent!). And, I was able to move the "planned" menu item forward to this week.

Monday -
Salmon patties, "mashed" potatoes, sweet peas

Tuesday -
Breakfast for dinner - scrambled egg beater omelets, bacon and toast

Wednesday -
fellowship meal at church

Thursday -
Oven-fried chicken, corn on the cob, applesauce, wheat rolls

Friday -
Sandwiches (super-husband has a ballgame, so we'll eat and run)

Saturday -
Birthday Dinner for a friend's mother

Sunday -
grilled chicken, pasta salad, sliced tomatoes, wheat rolls

Tasty Thursday (but was supposed to be Wednesday!)

So I'm new at this bloggin' stuff and a day late, but that's okay right? The theme this week is cookies, but since I don't have a favorite cookie recipe I'm going to post a dessert recipe.

Fluff

1 container Fat Free Cool Whip
1 dry pkg sugar free Jello (I use cheesecake or white chocolate flavors)
1 can mandarin oranges
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 container Fat Free vanilla yogurt

Mix all ingredients together until well-blended. Refrigerate immediately. Serving size equals 1 cup. (1 cup = 2 Weight Watcher points)

This is a great recipe for breakfast or dessert. The variations are endless - be creative with the pudding and the fruit.