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!!