Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Monday was Loser


First full week in the new year! I’m looking forward to a year of new recipes and new techniques to bring my freezer meals up a notch.

But first, my first confession of the new year – I will not be winning Mother of the Year this year, unless only in jest. For the first time ever, I dropped my child at school BUT THERE WAS NO SCHOOL IN SESSION! Ack!!! Mind you, I’ve been a mama since 1982 and have four children!! So poor T, I force her out of bed (“I’m tired, I’m sleepy ….”) for the first day back to school after a long break. It is really cold in Oregon right now – it was only 24 degrees outside Monday morning – so I decide to be a tender-hearted mom and drive her to school rather than make her walk. But, her school starts long after I have to be at work; however, they do have benches inside the first set of doors at school where I’ve seen kids waiting for school to start. So, I decide I’ll drop her off early, and she can wait there in the heated area and read until middle school begins. We make some toast with juice for breakfast and we’re off. I pull up and even watch to be sure she gets inside, then head off to work. About 10 minutes into my drive, I hear my cell phone ringing. Of course, it’s in the back seat and I don’t have on my Bluetooth. Then, I hear it again … by now I’m thinking, “Oh no, the school’s mad because I dropped her off early … my first time… but it was cold! …” All this inner dialogue/justification going on inside my head. I pull into the parking lot at work and, sure enough, it’s two missed calls from the school, no voice mail. Drats! Well, I head into my office and will call from there. At my desk, of course, my message light is lit up on my phone. To my horror, as I’m listening, my message is from my best friend and emergency contact who’s telling my that Tatum is stranded and there’s no school today, just as my cell phone starts ringing again!!

Well, long story short, yes, I messed up, and, yes, I drove back to take T home and returned to work. She fell back into bed for a few hours with the dog cuddled up next to her, then her Dad came home, brought her lunch, and took Miss T on the job for the afternoon so she experienced some of what he goes through as a city bus driver for a few hours. Wow, what a start to the new year.

ANY-HOO, here’s my menu for this week. Right now, I’m trying to use up what we have and spend MINIMAL funds at the grocery store. A plan that is a little tricky with a pantry and freezer that is not as full as normal. There are lots more menus at OrgJunkie.com.

Monday 1/3 – take out Chinese
Tuesday 1/4 – Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches (from freezer) with Steamed Cauliflower and Salad
Wednesday 1/5 – Pioneer Woman Meatloaf with Smashed Potatoes ($8 for a chub of meat for 2 meals, pantry for rest)
Thursday 1/6 – Crockpot Taco Chicken Burritos with Black Beans (chicken from freezer, rest from pantry)
Friday 1/7 – Homemade Pizzas and Salad (bought sauce with $2 Boboboli coupon so only $0.89 cents - in pantry, toppings from fridge/pantry)
Saturday 1/8 – Chicken and Dumplings (freezer/pantry)
Sunday 1/9 – Leftover Buffet

As part of a healthy eating resolution, my goal with all my meals will be moderation and to really eat slowly and taste my food. I’m starting back to exercising with Leslie Sansone and her iVillage challenge, participating in Mamavation, and the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus system at work. I also joined in another weight loss challenge by Abby at A Feathered Nest. If that ain't enough to keep me motivated, I don't know what will!!

Comment if you drop by, and let me know what you're eating this week!

PS - GREAT sale on Thermal Totes and Lunch Sacks this month at Thirty-One. Drop by my site for details!!

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7 comments:

Cindy said...

Oh sweetie..I am cracking up...but I do feel your pain as a mom. She will laugh at it down the road.My oldest is going to be 34 tomorrow...and what's funny...she is doing some of the same things to her children..I did to her..lol

I joined with Abbey also!! It's on girl...that 400 is mine!! lol

Hugs Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

whoops Walker brought home pizza...arghhhh...(Yumm..lol)

Pamela M. Kramer - A Renaissance Woman said...

That's a pretty crazy start for the new year. I bet you felt pretty frustrated. I really need to plan my meals. I've never been very good at it. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants in that area. lol

Unknown said...

Oh man, I bet you felt horrible!! but we're all been there and done that!

GAFlyGirl said...

LOL too funny! Well you wouldn't be only one to have done something like this. One morning I got my kids all up, dressed and to the bus stop to find no one there and that there was no school that morning.. on a really cold morning,and then I couldn't exactly get my kids to go back to sleep. LOL After I begun homeschooling, one day hubby dropped by school to TRY and pick my sons coat up he left on last day of school.. and that was the day they delayed school 2 hrs due to the icy roads. Next day they dropped lost and found items to a local charity so I guess his coat went to someone else in need. Fortunately we have another coat at home he is using, but it's really getting too small, so it's time to get him a new one. as for meals.. I am still working on getting a meal plan down and sticking to it, and eating healthier, but it's so hard when food budget is tight. Especially buying produce, and such.

Andrea Kruse said...

Oh, no! Maybe not so funny now, but a great story for years to come.

This week the menu includes: vegetarian chili, lentil soup and sweet potato gnocchi.

Paula said...

Poor Tatum! I'm sure it'll be funny later if it isn't already. When my youngest was in 1st grade, he would go to our local boys and girls club after school and I would pick him up on my way home from work. One day I had a really frustrating day at work and drove along mulling it all over in my head. It wasn't until I pulled into the driveway that I realized something was missing and remembered that I hadn't stopped to pick Dustin up. I think we've all done something like that to our poor kids. They live through it all - lol.
Good luck with all your weight loss goals for 2011!

Clayton Thomas said...

Oh no, what a story. I hope you can laugh about it (but I hope it never happens again) All the best!!!

Clay
http://www.tantrumstroublesandtreasures.blogspot.com

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