Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Print Books Mar 7th Through August 22nd
My goal this year was to not check out anything in print, just read the books next to my bed....I did not follow that goal at all it seems. I checked out Pack by Jeaniene Frost as soon as I saw it was a stand alone book. I have really like her other books and thought this would be a win also but I was disappointed. If this one led to a series I am sure I would pass on it. I can not say I read the entire Carbon-Free Home: 36 Home Remodeling Projects to Help Kick the Fossil Fuel Habit by Stephen and Rebekah Hren since it was a step by step guide for actual remodeling projects. I really just skimmed through the book to see if there was anything that would work for me. The Naked Lady Who Stood on Her Head by Gary Small was technically a kindle book. I try to keep one for emergencies which do not happen often but are known to happen. This one was a quickish read and I did enjoy the stories. The next book took me forever to read. It was interesting and a topic I love but for some reason I could just not get through it in a timely manner. The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery by Bill James and Rachel McCarthy James. The next book finally was one from the stack in my room! Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and it's All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson was good if dated information. Once I finished this one I registered it on goodreads and released it to a little free library. I continued in with Richard Carlson by reading Don't Sweat the Small Stuff With Your Family. This one was a bit more dated than the other book so there was not much information I gleaned from it. Just as the last one I passed it on in a little free library. I did stack the books next to my bed by subject so that may be why the next book I picked up was Many Ways to Say I Love You by Fred Rogers. I love stuff that Mr. Rogers said but as a kid I did not like the show. I know reading the books was one resolution but minimizing our possessions was also a resolution so this book joined the others in a little free library. Next up was a book the boys actually bought me from Christmas. Never Shower in a Thunderstorm by Anahad O'Connor was a fun book of useless facts in answer to old wives tales we have all heard. I loved it and passed it on in a little free library so someone else can love it. An author that I have been following since her first book just published another one and so I actually purchased the kindle version since that is the only way it is available. Ronan by Teresa Gabelman was a quick fluffy read. I swear every time that I am done with the series and then I purchase the next one. One day I will have some self control and be done with it. Lastly for this time period I re-read Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon just because I wanted some smutt.
Audio Books Mar 7th through August 22nd
Audio Books I have listened to from Mar 7th through August 22nd
I have been listening to more podcasts lately which has been a dent in the amount of audio books I can listen to as there are only so many hours in a day. The first up in this time frame was My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman which I loved. A lot of the reviewers were put off by the fantasy aspect of it but I thought that added to the story. Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting by Michael Perry and I am on the fence. His writing style is easy to read but found it a little incomplete. It never fleshes out any one subject, just jumps from topic to topic without a resolution. Next up was Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks. I really,really wanted to like this book since I love Tom Hanks and he narrated it but I just could not wait for it to be finished. The stories loosely are connected as the same characters pop up in a few but none of them are satisfying or complete. I could not connect to any of the characters because the stories made little sense or abruptly end before you can develop the connection. I quickly listened to She Persisted:13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton. This was a short listen as it is a children's book but I have recommended it to friends with small kids, especially girls. The same day as Chelsea's book I listened to The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson and was disappointed. I have loved his other books and Ted Talks but this book just did not cut it for me. I think it was a bit all over the place and not focused which took away from any point about mental health care he was getting at. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson was for me a waste of a couple of hours. It was less about cleaning out stuff and more about her life. My audio reading life redeemed itself with the next book Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations by Amy Chua. I really was set to not like this book as her most famous book really rubbed me the wrong way. I however found this book full of information and insight. My reading high was diminished with the next book. The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win by Jeff Haden. The was another absolute waste of my time. I do not equate being rich with being successful. I think being content or happy is what we should strive for and would love to read those books. Because of the Amy Chua book goodreads suggested Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-Ins and Breakdowns that put Donald Trump in the White House by Donna Brazile. This book gave me information that I was looking for but did it in a whiny, I am the wounded party way that made me not like it. A different political time was up next. Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom by Thomas E Ricks was a good historical account of this time and relationship. Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman finally became available at the library so I listened to it. Britt-Marie was introduced in his previous book and she is just someone you have a hard time liking. In her own book you warm up to her and actually hope she has a second book. I delved back into the non-fiction world after Britt-Marie with So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, this is one of those books that I recommend to everyone. One take away is that you can acknowledge your advantages without discounting your disadvantages. I do not need to play one up with anyone. I have had a few disadvantages in life but that does not mean I have not had advantages. People of Color or in other disadvantaged groups are the ones who say what counts as racist/sexist/ageist/ablist and not those outside the group. More holds became available at the library about this time so Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff, this book really just confirmed thoughts I already had about this administration. Minecraft: The Island by Max Brooks was the next book I listened to. My older son is a minecraft fanatic and so we listened to this together in the mornings. It is narrated by Jack Black and even though I am not into Minecraft I enjoyed listening to this with him. Fredrik Backman's short story And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer was up next. This was an extremely short and sad listen. Switching gears I listened to B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton which I found entertaining but a bit dated. I plowed on right into C is for Corpse also by Sue Grafton and still had the same opinion. It was entertaining but dated. After a stint in the detective world I listened to This Messy Magnificent Life: A Field Guide by Geneen Roth which I really wanted to love as the forward was from Anne Lamott whom I love. I just zoned out through a lot of it because it was so repetitive and light on the information. Mystery was in the air again as A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny came available at the library. Louise Penny can make me forget about time with her effortless writing. Self-Help called my name and I gave Option B by Sheryl Sandberg a chance. I really felt for her story but just did not have any lasting impressions from this book. I honestly forgot I had listened to it until someone mentioned her and loss. The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel. I am not sure that I got as much out of this book as I hoped to. She is a marriage therapist and all I really took from this book was communicate with your partner. I tried to gain some knowledge from Neil deGrasse Tyson next with his new book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry and it was a fail. I can not tell you a single fact I learned from this book. I fell back on crime thrillers with D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton but started really hating the main character. Still trying to plow through the series I listened to E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. I increasingly noticed the judgy, prejudice nature of the novels and started hating the main character more than before. Flat Broke with Two Goats: A Memoir by Jennifer McGaha was a promo book offered free for a period of time to the library so I listened to it. I really had no sympathy for the author. There are things that befall us and there are things we bring on ourselves. The author definitely had her head in the sand and then whined about the resulting disaster. F is for the Fugitive by Sue Grafton was my attempt to get through the series. I just can not take any more of these. Semi switching gears and going back to non fiction. I listened to Creative Quest by Ahmir Questlove Thompson. This one was an easy listen and introduced me to his podcast. Tried a parenting book next which is an addiction of mine because I am convinced I am screwing my kids up and they are going to need therapy. Voice Lessons for Parents: What to Say, How to Say it, and When to Listen by Wendy Mogel. Still sure my kids will need therapy after this book, I do not feel like it led to any lasting change in my life. I do not agree with everything Madeleine Albright says in her book Fascism: A Warning but I did think most of it rings true with our current political climate. While listening to my books I was also listening to Zombies Attack: An Unofficial Minecrafters' Adventure by Mark Cheverton. I do not play minecraft as I mentioned before but I like that I can listen to these books with my son and we can discuss them. I promise that G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton was my last attempt at the series, I can not let my OCD change my mind. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny will likely be my last book in that series. I like the detective, the town it is set in and the mysteries but the side narrative in the books really has put me off. Hiking has always been something I enjoy and I want to hike a section of the PCT sometime in the near future so I tend to pick up any books about hiking. North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail by Scott Jurek is one of those books. I did like the book although I did not find it transformative as some reviewers did. I has put Esther Perel's book on hold before reading the other one based on her Ted Talk. I was disappointed in the first one but thought I would still give this one a try since it was on hold for so long. Same review on Mating in Captivity as her other book. I really just did not gain anything useful from it. Finishing this book actually left me with nothing else to listen to ( besides my podcasts) so I just did a search on the library app to see what was currently available and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier caught my interest. This book was a quick listen and had some really good points. It made me rethink my Instagram usage and watch other pages that are "free". It did not convince me to delete my facebook account though. Evidently the next author is well known although I had never heard of him. Charlie LeDuff's book Sh*tshow!: The Country's Collapsing and the Ratings are Great left me angry. Angry at him, angry at the system and angry at the current administration. I have been working for change in my life and community but this showed the problem is deep and widespread. Why Courage Matters by John McCain is another book I really wanted to like and I just could not. I know he went through unspeakable horrors as a POW but I really want to believe that is not the only type of courage in the world. Expanding my understanding of experiences unlike mine led to I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown which I am still digesting. Working in a multi cultural space and living in a neighborhood where we are the one of the only white families lulled me into believing I understood the experience of being a POC in America. I was wrong and I need to keep exploring this topic. Soon after finishing this one my kids and I took a long road trip to visit my family so we listened to a few audio books specifically for them. My older son loves the I survived series so we listened to I Survived the Eruption of Mount St Helens 1980 by Lauren Tarshis. I had read an adult book on the eruption and of course was alive for the actual event. Having these experiences I realize that the I survived author put some thought into the characters having a "happy" ending by surviving. For my younger son we listened to a really and I mean really quick book. Pete the Cat's Train Trip by James Dean and although it was brief it was a fun one. In between the kids books, mainly while they were napping or watching DVDs I listened to I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara which was published weeks before they announced the suspect had been arrested. There was one more kids book Cars 3 Junior Novelization by Walt Disney Company that we made it through. It was a shortened version of the movie which the kids enjoyed. Once home I started God Save Texas: A Journey Into the Soul of the Lone Star State by Lawrence Wright . I liked the book overall but it was very repetitive and lots of name dropping. The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America by Sarah Kendzior which again was enjoyable but repetitive. It is a collection of short stories on the same subject so it is hard to have no overlap but think maybe this should have been shorter or in a broader collection with other authors. We are to another kids book which we listened to while riding around town on errands The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. This was one of my favorites as a kid so I was excited for my kids to listen to it. They really seemed to enjoy it and are excited to get the second in the series from the library. How to Change Your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics by Michael Pollan. This book was a little too long which I am not surprised with since it was written by Michael Pollan. It will be interesting to see where this research goes. Still non fiction but a different subject captured my interest next. I saw Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton available and decided to check it out. I was not familiar with her despite her seeming fame. The book was a good read and an interesting look at someone else's life. Due to my recent reading history Killing It by Camas Davis was recommended and since it was available I jumped on it. This one really made me think about the cuts of meat I am purchasing. I already try to buy everything straight from the farmer but have never thought about the cuts that they are not offering. The second book in the Ralph S Mouse series was not available so we listened to Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary and again the boys are excitedly waiting for the rest of the series to become available from the library. We are almost caught up in time with the books I have listened to! A Future of Faith: The Path of change in Politics and Society by Pope Francis. I checked this one out as I really loved the last book by the pope. This one was in interview format and I just could not get into it. And Finally The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker was recommended in a fb group I belong to. It was essentially 3 hours of someone telling me to trust my instincts.
I will do another post with the print books I have read which will not equal this in number but I thought this post had gone on long enough.
I have been listening to more podcasts lately which has been a dent in the amount of audio books I can listen to as there are only so many hours in a day. The first up in this time frame was My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman which I loved. A lot of the reviewers were put off by the fantasy aspect of it but I thought that added to the story. Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs and Parenting by Michael Perry and I am on the fence. His writing style is easy to read but found it a little incomplete. It never fleshes out any one subject, just jumps from topic to topic without a resolution. Next up was Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks. I really,really wanted to like this book since I love Tom Hanks and he narrated it but I just could not wait for it to be finished. The stories loosely are connected as the same characters pop up in a few but none of them are satisfying or complete. I could not connect to any of the characters because the stories made little sense or abruptly end before you can develop the connection. I quickly listened to She Persisted:13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton. This was a short listen as it is a children's book but I have recommended it to friends with small kids, especially girls. The same day as Chelsea's book I listened to The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry by Jon Ronson and was disappointed. I have loved his other books and Ted Talks but this book just did not cut it for me. I think it was a bit all over the place and not focused which took away from any point about mental health care he was getting at. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson was for me a waste of a couple of hours. It was less about cleaning out stuff and more about her life. My audio reading life redeemed itself with the next book Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations by Amy Chua. I really was set to not like this book as her most famous book really rubbed me the wrong way. I however found this book full of information and insight. My reading high was diminished with the next book. The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win by Jeff Haden. The was another absolute waste of my time. I do not equate being rich with being successful. I think being content or happy is what we should strive for and would love to read those books. Because of the Amy Chua book goodreads suggested Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-Ins and Breakdowns that put Donald Trump in the White House by Donna Brazile. This book gave me information that I was looking for but did it in a whiny, I am the wounded party way that made me not like it. A different political time was up next. Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom by Thomas E Ricks was a good historical account of this time and relationship. Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman finally became available at the library so I listened to it. Britt-Marie was introduced in his previous book and she is just someone you have a hard time liking. In her own book you warm up to her and actually hope she has a second book. I delved back into the non-fiction world after Britt-Marie with So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo, this is one of those books that I recommend to everyone. One take away is that you can acknowledge your advantages without discounting your disadvantages. I do not need to play one up with anyone. I have had a few disadvantages in life but that does not mean I have not had advantages. People of Color or in other disadvantaged groups are the ones who say what counts as racist/sexist/ageist/ablist and not those outside the group. More holds became available at the library about this time so Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House by Michael Wolff, this book really just confirmed thoughts I already had about this administration. Minecraft: The Island by Max Brooks was the next book I listened to. My older son is a minecraft fanatic and so we listened to this together in the mornings. It is narrated by Jack Black and even though I am not into Minecraft I enjoyed listening to this with him. Fredrik Backman's short story And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer was up next. This was an extremely short and sad listen. Switching gears I listened to B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton which I found entertaining but a bit dated. I plowed on right into C is for Corpse also by Sue Grafton and still had the same opinion. It was entertaining but dated. After a stint in the detective world I listened to This Messy Magnificent Life: A Field Guide by Geneen Roth which I really wanted to love as the forward was from Anne Lamott whom I love. I just zoned out through a lot of it because it was so repetitive and light on the information. Mystery was in the air again as A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny came available at the library. Louise Penny can make me forget about time with her effortless writing. Self-Help called my name and I gave Option B by Sheryl Sandberg a chance. I really felt for her story but just did not have any lasting impressions from this book. I honestly forgot I had listened to it until someone mentioned her and loss. The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel. I am not sure that I got as much out of this book as I hoped to. She is a marriage therapist and all I really took from this book was communicate with your partner. I tried to gain some knowledge from Neil deGrasse Tyson next with his new book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry and it was a fail. I can not tell you a single fact I learned from this book. I fell back on crime thrillers with D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton but started really hating the main character. Still trying to plow through the series I listened to E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. I increasingly noticed the judgy, prejudice nature of the novels and started hating the main character more than before. Flat Broke with Two Goats: A Memoir by Jennifer McGaha was a promo book offered free for a period of time to the library so I listened to it. I really had no sympathy for the author. There are things that befall us and there are things we bring on ourselves. The author definitely had her head in the sand and then whined about the resulting disaster. F is for the Fugitive by Sue Grafton was my attempt to get through the series. I just can not take any more of these. Semi switching gears and going back to non fiction. I listened to Creative Quest by Ahmir Questlove Thompson. This one was an easy listen and introduced me to his podcast. Tried a parenting book next which is an addiction of mine because I am convinced I am screwing my kids up and they are going to need therapy. Voice Lessons for Parents: What to Say, How to Say it, and When to Listen by Wendy Mogel. Still sure my kids will need therapy after this book, I do not feel like it led to any lasting change in my life. I do not agree with everything Madeleine Albright says in her book Fascism: A Warning but I did think most of it rings true with our current political climate. While listening to my books I was also listening to Zombies Attack: An Unofficial Minecrafters' Adventure by Mark Cheverton. I do not play minecraft as I mentioned before but I like that I can listen to these books with my son and we can discuss them. I promise that G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton was my last attempt at the series, I can not let my OCD change my mind. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny will likely be my last book in that series. I like the detective, the town it is set in and the mysteries but the side narrative in the books really has put me off. Hiking has always been something I enjoy and I want to hike a section of the PCT sometime in the near future so I tend to pick up any books about hiking. North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail by Scott Jurek is one of those books. I did like the book although I did not find it transformative as some reviewers did. I has put Esther Perel's book on hold before reading the other one based on her Ted Talk. I was disappointed in the first one but thought I would still give this one a try since it was on hold for so long. Same review on Mating in Captivity as her other book. I really just did not gain anything useful from it. Finishing this book actually left me with nothing else to listen to ( besides my podcasts) so I just did a search on the library app to see what was currently available and Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier caught my interest. This book was a quick listen and had some really good points. It made me rethink my Instagram usage and watch other pages that are "free". It did not convince me to delete my facebook account though. Evidently the next author is well known although I had never heard of him. Charlie LeDuff's book Sh*tshow!: The Country's Collapsing and the Ratings are Great left me angry. Angry at him, angry at the system and angry at the current administration. I have been working for change in my life and community but this showed the problem is deep and widespread. Why Courage Matters by John McCain is another book I really wanted to like and I just could not. I know he went through unspeakable horrors as a POW but I really want to believe that is not the only type of courage in the world. Expanding my understanding of experiences unlike mine led to I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown which I am still digesting. Working in a multi cultural space and living in a neighborhood where we are the one of the only white families lulled me into believing I understood the experience of being a POC in America. I was wrong and I need to keep exploring this topic. Soon after finishing this one my kids and I took a long road trip to visit my family so we listened to a few audio books specifically for them. My older son loves the I survived series so we listened to I Survived the Eruption of Mount St Helens 1980 by Lauren Tarshis. I had read an adult book on the eruption and of course was alive for the actual event. Having these experiences I realize that the I survived author put some thought into the characters having a "happy" ending by surviving. For my younger son we listened to a really and I mean really quick book. Pete the Cat's Train Trip by James Dean and although it was brief it was a fun one. In between the kids books, mainly while they were napping or watching DVDs I listened to I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara which was published weeks before they announced the suspect had been arrested. There was one more kids book Cars 3 Junior Novelization by Walt Disney Company that we made it through. It was a shortened version of the movie which the kids enjoyed. Once home I started God Save Texas: A Journey Into the Soul of the Lone Star State by Lawrence Wright . I liked the book overall but it was very repetitive and lots of name dropping. The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America by Sarah Kendzior which again was enjoyable but repetitive. It is a collection of short stories on the same subject so it is hard to have no overlap but think maybe this should have been shorter or in a broader collection with other authors. We are to another kids book which we listened to while riding around town on errands The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. This was one of my favorites as a kid so I was excited for my kids to listen to it. They really seemed to enjoy it and are excited to get the second in the series from the library. How to Change Your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics by Michael Pollan. This book was a little too long which I am not surprised with since it was written by Michael Pollan. It will be interesting to see where this research goes. Still non fiction but a different subject captured my interest next. I saw Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton available and decided to check it out. I was not familiar with her despite her seeming fame. The book was a good read and an interesting look at someone else's life. Due to my recent reading history Killing It by Camas Davis was recommended and since it was available I jumped on it. This one really made me think about the cuts of meat I am purchasing. I already try to buy everything straight from the farmer but have never thought about the cuts that they are not offering. The second book in the Ralph S Mouse series was not available so we listened to Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary and again the boys are excitedly waiting for the rest of the series to become available from the library. We are almost caught up in time with the books I have listened to! A Future of Faith: The Path of change in Politics and Society by Pope Francis. I checked this one out as I really loved the last book by the pope. This one was in interview format and I just could not get into it. And Finally The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker was recommended in a fb group I belong to. It was essentially 3 hours of someone telling me to trust my instincts.
I will do another post with the print books I have read which will not equal this in number but I thought this post had gone on long enough.
Friday, August 17, 2018
More Resolution Progress
I have made some progress on my resolutions even though keeping track of it on here was not one of those things.
We got new carpet in the 3 bedrooms of our house which meant we had to take everything out of those rooms. I have been going through every box before putting it back to make sure only things we need, use or love make it back into the rooms. All the other items are finding new places to live. We are not completely done with going through the boxes and have another construction project coming up which will mean cleaning out another room. As much as this makes the house a disaster zone for a brief period it means the end result will be a calmer, better house for us to live in. I use the word calm as in our stuff will not take all our attention, the house is never truly calm with 2 small boys in it.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Last week of April
This technically is the last week of the month but because payday falls during the week next week I will need to make it 2 weeks before I go grocery shopping.
This week I have this to work with from the CSA and farmer's market
Sunday April 22nd:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: fried chicken
Dinner: Grilled ribs, cream peas, strawberries and toasted sourdough
Monday April 23rd:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: leftover ribs, peas and strawberries
Dinner: Made lettuce wraps using up some leftover smoked pork from the freezer. I simmered it on the stove in sauce (Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps) from Domestic Superhero. Served with steamed rice this turned out awesome.
Tuesday April 24th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: gyro and fries with friends
Dinner: Mini meatloaf with cheese center with Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus from Cafe Delites. If I make the asparagus again I will cut the amount of oil, garlic and the cook time. They were a touch soggy and we really prefer ours crisp.
Wednesday April 25th:
Breakfast: donuts!
Lunch: pizza rolls, strawberries and crepe
Dinner:Brinner! Pancakes with blackberry jam, scrambled eggs, and bacon
Thursday April 26th:
Breakfast: donuts for work meeting
Lunch: hamburger in my car while I tried to finish listening to a podcast
Dinner: One Pot Sausage Penne Pasta from Six Sisters' Stuff. This one was pretty good!
Friday April 27th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: sandwich
Dinner: fish sticks with homemade mac-n-cheese.
Saturday April 28th:
Breakfast: Biscuits
Lunch: snacking at home
Dinner: Went out to Hibachi for our anniversary and did not get my phone out at all!
This week I have this to work with from the CSA and farmer's market
 |
| CSA share |
 | |||
| Farmer's Market |
Sunday April 22nd:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: fried chicken
Dinner: Grilled ribs, cream peas, strawberries and toasted sourdough
Monday April 23rd:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: leftover ribs, peas and strawberries
Dinner: Made lettuce wraps using up some leftover smoked pork from the freezer. I simmered it on the stove in sauce (Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps) from Domestic Superhero. Served with steamed rice this turned out awesome.
Tuesday April 24th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: gyro and fries with friends
Dinner: Mini meatloaf with cheese center with Cheesy Garlic Roasted Asparagus from Cafe Delites. If I make the asparagus again I will cut the amount of oil, garlic and the cook time. They were a touch soggy and we really prefer ours crisp.
Wednesday April 25th:
Breakfast: donuts!
Lunch: pizza rolls, strawberries and crepe
Dinner:Brinner! Pancakes with blackberry jam, scrambled eggs, and bacon
Thursday April 26th:
Breakfast: donuts for work meeting
Lunch: hamburger in my car while I tried to finish listening to a podcast
Dinner: One Pot Sausage Penne Pasta from Six Sisters' Stuff. This one was pretty good!
Friday April 27th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: sandwich
Dinner: fish sticks with homemade mac-n-cheese.
Saturday April 28th:
Breakfast: Biscuits
Lunch: snacking at home
Dinner: Went out to Hibachi for our anniversary and did not get my phone out at all!
Monday, April 23, 2018
Third Week of April
This week's menu plan is of course inspired by my CSA pick up. I did pass on the beets again this week as well as the radishes to my husband's grandmother. She really loved the last ones and I like that she gets some fresh veggies as well.
Sunday April 15th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: fried chicken and corn on the cob
Dinner: smoked sausage, steamed corn and homemade mac-n-cheese
Monday April 16th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: grilled cheese
Tuesday April 17th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: Creamy chicken Tomato Skillet from Cooking Light magazine served over rice with toasted sourdough.
Wednesday April 18th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: Pizza for work birthdays
Dinner: Sausage& Rice One Skillet Meal from All Things Mama
Thursday April 19th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls and fruit
Dinner: Spaghetti Carbonara from Damn Delicious with toasted sourdough
Friday April 20th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: Egg Roll Skillet from Mrs.Happy Homemaker
Saturday April 21st:
Breakfast: cream cheese danish
Lunch: ham, turkey and cheese sandwich
Dinner: Chicken Noodle Soup with toasted sourdough
Sunday April 15th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: fried chicken and corn on the cob
Dinner: smoked sausage, steamed corn and homemade mac-n-cheese
Monday April 16th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: grilled cheese
Tuesday April 17th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: Creamy chicken Tomato Skillet from Cooking Light magazine served over rice with toasted sourdough.
Wednesday April 18th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: Pizza for work birthdays
Dinner: Sausage& Rice One Skillet Meal from All Things Mama
Thursday April 19th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls and fruit
Dinner: Spaghetti Carbonara from Damn Delicious with toasted sourdough
Friday April 20th:
Breakfast: raisin toast
Lunch: pizza rolls with fruit
Dinner: Egg Roll Skillet from Mrs.Happy Homemaker
Saturday April 21st:
Breakfast: cream cheese danish
Lunch: ham, turkey and cheese sandwich
Dinner: Chicken Noodle Soup with toasted sourdough
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Second Week of April
This food week started with the CSA pick up on Saturday. This week I chose to pick up the all veggie basket as I still had some eggs and sausage. I may alternate depending on what is available but will have to learn on the fly since this is a new CSA
This week I passed on the beets and 1 head of cabbage to grandma as I knew we would not eat them. I still had pickles from last week so I passed those on to a coworker. From there I worked out the following menu
Sunday April 8th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: hamburgers with friends
Dinner: Baked spaghetti using up the leftovers from last week
Monday April 9th:
Breakfast: leftover kolaches
Dinner: Moo Shu Pork from Gimme Some Oven with a couple of changes and some steamed rice. I did not have coleslaw mix and had picked this for the menu to use up some cabbage so I cut some up as well as "shaved" a carrot and used that instead. I also used up the leftover pork chops cut thin so I was able to skip the cooking step for that.
Tuesday April 10th:
Breakfast: leftover donut
Lunch: Wendy's with a friend
Dinner:Flanken style ribs, Parmesan asparagus and cinnamon apples
Wednesday April 11th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Gyro and fries with friends
Dinner:Leftover Steak Hash from That Susan Williams. I used the last potato from the BB pickup and some of the leftover roast from a couple of nights ago.
Thursday April 12th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Salad, lunch meat and cheese with a friend
Dinner:Grilled chicken, ranch roasted carrots and black beans
Breakfast: Pig in a blanket
Lunch: chicken strips
Dinner: One Skillet Chicken Enchilada Pasta from Chelsea's Messy Apron. I used leftover chicken and black beans in mine.
Saturday April 14th:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: pizza rolls
Dinner: frozen pizza
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
First Week of April
This past weekend was a constant whirl, we had family Easter and then Easter at church with a potluck and egg hunt. That coupled with payday, first CSA pick up and getting grocery shopping done has left me drained. This weekend was going to be the beginning of strawberry season and I really wanted to take the boys to a pick your own farm but we have an 80% of rain which may force me to stay home and get neglected tasks done.
Let's start with pictures of all the produce I picked up on Saturday morning
This was the first pick up from bountiful baskets
I then headed to the farmer's market and picked up the following plus a cream cheese pastry that I promptly ate.
Following this I headed to the farm to pick up my CSA share
All of this great stuff of course led to overload making the menu again. I want to use up fragile produce first and other items I have on hand and this is what I ended up with
Sunday April 1st:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Easter potluck at church
Dinner: Smoked sausage and baked potatoes
Monday April 2nd:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Wendy's with friend
Dinner: Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Soup from Foodie Crush. I did use canned beans and kale instead of spinach since that is what I had on hand. The sausage was from the CSA pick up and the kale from the farmer's market. Served with toasted sourdough also from the farmer's market.
Tuesday April 3rd:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Pizza with a friend
Dinner: Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Chicken from The Recipe Critic. This one was really good and I will definitely be making again although I may cut back on the liquid as mine was a bit overwhelming.
Wednesday April 4th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Chicken Fried Chicken with a friend
Dinner: One Pan Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Asparagus and Sausage from Chelsea's Messy Apron with toasted sourdough.
I made this one using up the leftover smoked sausage, 1 potato from the BB pick up and some onion from the CSA and asparagus from the farmer's market.
Thursday April 5th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwich at work
Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs with toasted sourdough.
Friday April 6th:
Breakfast: Kolache
Lunch: Subs with friend
Dinner: Grilled pork chops, sauteed asparagus and mushrooms and grits
Saturday April 7th:
Breakfast: Biscuits with butter and jam
Lunch: Grilled cheese
Dinner: Crock Pot Cuban Beef from Paleo Hacks with steamed rice
Let's start with pictures of all the produce I picked up on Saturday morning
I then headed to the farmer's market and picked up the following plus a cream cheese pastry that I promptly ate.
Following this I headed to the farm to pick up my CSA share
All of this great stuff of course led to overload making the menu again. I want to use up fragile produce first and other items I have on hand and this is what I ended up with
Sunday April 1st:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Easter potluck at church
Dinner: Smoked sausage and baked potatoes
Monday April 2nd:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Wendy's with friend
Dinner: Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean and Sausage Soup from Foodie Crush. I did use canned beans and kale instead of spinach since that is what I had on hand. The sausage was from the CSA pick up and the kale from the farmer's market. Served with toasted sourdough also from the farmer's market.
Tuesday April 3rd:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Pizza with a friend
Dinner: Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Chicken from The Recipe Critic. This one was really good and I will definitely be making again although I may cut back on the liquid as mine was a bit overwhelming.
Wednesday April 4th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Chicken Fried Chicken with a friend
Dinner: One Pan Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Asparagus and Sausage from Chelsea's Messy Apron with toasted sourdough.
I made this one using up the leftover smoked sausage, 1 potato from the BB pick up and some onion from the CSA and asparagus from the farmer's market.
Thursday April 5th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwich at work
Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs with toasted sourdough.
Friday April 6th:
Breakfast: Kolache
Lunch: Subs with friend
Dinner: Grilled pork chops, sauteed asparagus and mushrooms and grits
Saturday April 7th:
Breakfast: Biscuits with butter and jam
Lunch: Grilled cheese
Dinner: Crock Pot Cuban Beef from Paleo Hacks with steamed rice
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Resolution Progress
I am still trying to be easy on myself about this process. I worked on the medicine cabinet or in our case it feels like a closet. I cleaned it up and took some stuff to be destroyed. I also used items to make up a first aid kit for the car and set aside some for our trip to FL this summer.
Phillip's project car is coming home so we worked on cleaning out the garage this weekend to make room. I listed a bunch of stuff on my trade site as well as sale sites and craigslist. Tonight I am meeting someone to trade some canning jars for tomato, basil and broccoli plants.
Last night I managed to clean out one dresser drawer, it was only one drawer but that is one less drawer that I have to clean out.
Phillip's project car is coming home so we worked on cleaning out the garage this weekend to make room. I listed a bunch of stuff on my trade site as well as sale sites and craigslist. Tonight I am meeting someone to trade some canning jars for tomato, basil and broccoli plants.
Last night I managed to clean out one dresser drawer, it was only one drawer but that is one less drawer that I have to clean out.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Groceries for March
I really thought I had done better this month until I pulled all the receipts and it looks bleak. We will see what this totals up to and get a verdict.
Winco Trip #1
2 jars spaghetti sauce $1.98
2 liter of Pepsi $.98
3 gallons apple juice $10.14
1 gallon milk $1.50
2 boxes gnocchi $5.76
1 pkg naan $2.08
1 kid's sippy cup $7.85
3 lbs chicken tenderloins $5.98
1 pkg bottle nipples $1.86
2 cans refried beans $1.36
2 boxes cereal $3.96
1 head garlic $.48
1 pkg cheese and cracker snacks $4.68
3 pkgs mini donuts $5.49
1 pkg gum $1.75
1 lb fajita beef strips $4.98
~1/16 lbs ginger root $.20
1 bag baby spinach $1.78
1 pkg colby jack cheese slices $3.18
1 pkg white American cheese slices $2.65
1 donut $.58
2 turkey pot pies $1.48
1 lb breakfast sausage $2.98
1 (16 oz) sour cream $.99
1 pkg chips $1.28
2 lbs sliced salami $5.98
5 cans diced tomatoes $2.70
3 cans beans $1.71
2 cans bean dip $3.96
1 pkg pepperoni minis $2.98
1 pkg frozen broccoli $1.14
1 pkg feminine napkins $3.88
~3/4lbs raw sugar $.63
~3/4lbs whole cashews $6.59
~1/8lb gummy bunnies $.30
~1/2lb fresh broccoli $.50
~3/4 shell pasta $.62
~1&1/4 lb spaghetti pasta $1.11
1 pkg fish sticks $2.98
1 quart whipping cream $3.38
1 pkg freezer bags $2.63
2 cans biscuits $3.16
1 can apple pie filling $2.18
1 can cinnamon rolls $1.58
3 (8 pks) powerade $11.94
1 bottle Dublin soda $1.28
1 spreadable cream cheese $1.80
2 spin brush toothbrushes $7.92
1 pkg frozen corn $1.13
1 pkg frozen peas $1.19
~1&1/4lbs white rice $.46
1 bag chips $1.98
~3/4lbs elbow pasta $.62
~3/4lb penne pasta $.72
~2&1/4lbs flour $.52
~1/4lb taco seasoning $1.15
~1/16 lb lollipops $.23
7 teabags $.63
~2&1/4lbs sugar $.74
~2 lbs bananas $.92
~1 lb asparagus $.93
~11&3/4lb watermelon $3.84
1 lb carrots $.98
1 tube tomato paste $1.86
1 bag chips $1.98
1 bottle ketchup $.78
1 bag chips $1.98
1 bag chips $1.28
pkg 2 pork roasts $5.06
Total::: $177.48
Kroger Trip #1
1 veggie tray $6.49
1 pkg turkey lunch meat $2.99
1 cheese loaf $4.39
3 pkgs cheese $2.37
2 pkgs m&ms $1.00
2 lbs butter $3.00
2 pkgs cinnamon rolls $2.00
3 cans cherry pie filling $5.97
Total::: $28.29
Winco Trip #2
~ 2 lbs bananas $.89
1 pkg tic tacs $1.01
~1/8 lb gummy fish $.38
1 gallon milk $1.50
~1/16 lb cinnamon bunnies $.12
~1/16 lb orange slices $.15
Total::: $4.19
Kroger Trip #2
2 pkgs pepperoni $3.58
2 pints blackberries $1.98
1 head lettuce $1.29
1 pkg mushrooms $1.29
Total::: $8.14
Winco Trip #3
~2&1/4 lbs bananas $.94
1 loaf French bread $.95
~1/16lb lollipops $.19
~1/4 lbs cinnamon bunnies $.40
1 (1/2) gallon of orange juice $1.74
1 gallon milk $1.50
Total::::: $5.77
Trip to the Farmer's market
Gouda cheese $8.00
Total for the month:
$231.87!!!!!! I am under budget for the month!!!
Winco Trip #1
2 jars spaghetti sauce $1.98
2 liter of Pepsi $.98
3 gallons apple juice $10.14
1 gallon milk $1.50
2 boxes gnocchi $5.76
1 pkg naan $2.08
1 kid's sippy cup $7.85
3 lbs chicken tenderloins $5.98
1 pkg bottle nipples $1.86
2 cans refried beans $1.36
2 boxes cereal $3.96
1 head garlic $.48
1 pkg cheese and cracker snacks $4.68
3 pkgs mini donuts $5.49
1 pkg gum $1.75
1 lb fajita beef strips $4.98
~1/16 lbs ginger root $.20
1 bag baby spinach $1.78
1 pkg colby jack cheese slices $3.18
1 pkg white American cheese slices $2.65
1 donut $.58
2 turkey pot pies $1.48
1 lb breakfast sausage $2.98
1 (16 oz) sour cream $.99
1 pkg chips $1.28
2 lbs sliced salami $5.98
5 cans diced tomatoes $2.70
3 cans beans $1.71
2 cans bean dip $3.96
1 pkg pepperoni minis $2.98
1 pkg frozen broccoli $1.14
1 pkg feminine napkins $3.88
~3/4lbs raw sugar $.63
~3/4lbs whole cashews $6.59
~1/8lb gummy bunnies $.30
~1/2lb fresh broccoli $.50
~3/4 shell pasta $.62
~1&1/4 lb spaghetti pasta $1.11
1 pkg fish sticks $2.98
1 quart whipping cream $3.38
1 pkg freezer bags $2.63
2 cans biscuits $3.16
1 can apple pie filling $2.18
1 can cinnamon rolls $1.58
3 (8 pks) powerade $11.94
1 bottle Dublin soda $1.28
1 spreadable cream cheese $1.80
2 spin brush toothbrushes $7.92
1 pkg frozen corn $1.13
1 pkg frozen peas $1.19
~1&1/4lbs white rice $.46
1 bag chips $1.98
~3/4lbs elbow pasta $.62
~3/4lb penne pasta $.72
~2&1/4lbs flour $.52
~1/4lb taco seasoning $1.15
~1/16 lb lollipops $.23
7 teabags $.63
~2&1/4lbs sugar $.74
~2 lbs bananas $.92
~1 lb asparagus $.93
~11&3/4lb watermelon $3.84
1 lb carrots $.98
1 tube tomato paste $1.86
1 bag chips $1.98
1 bottle ketchup $.78
1 bag chips $1.98
1 bag chips $1.28
pkg 2 pork roasts $5.06
Total::: $177.48
Kroger Trip #1
1 veggie tray $6.49
1 pkg turkey lunch meat $2.99
1 cheese loaf $4.39
3 pkgs cheese $2.37
2 pkgs m&ms $1.00
2 lbs butter $3.00
2 pkgs cinnamon rolls $2.00
3 cans cherry pie filling $5.97
Total::: $28.29
Winco Trip #2
~ 2 lbs bananas $.89
1 pkg tic tacs $1.01
~1/8 lb gummy fish $.38
1 gallon milk $1.50
~1/16 lb cinnamon bunnies $.12
~1/16 lb orange slices $.15
Total::: $4.19
Kroger Trip #2
2 pkgs pepperoni $3.58
2 pints blackberries $1.98
1 head lettuce $1.29
1 pkg mushrooms $1.29
Total::: $8.14
Winco Trip #3
~2&1/4 lbs bananas $.94
1 loaf French bread $.95
~1/16lb lollipops $.19
~1/4 lbs cinnamon bunnies $.40
1 (1/2) gallon of orange juice $1.74
1 gallon milk $1.50
Total::::: $5.77
Trip to the Farmer's market
Gouda cheese $8.00
Total for the month:
$231.87!!!!!! I am under budget for the month!!!
Last week of March
You can tell in my last post when Phillip arrived home. This week I need to work on cleaning out the freezer and getting it ready for April's grocery run.
I have not managed to make a meal plan and have just been pulling stuff out of the fridge and freezer for meals. This is not the best method for me since it leaves me in a panic when I get home but it is how this week is going.
Sunday Mar 25th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Chicken Enchilada with friends
Dinner: Brinner! Pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs
Monday Mar 26th:
Breakfast: kolaches
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwich, diced peaches and chips
Dinner: Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato and Mozzarella from Simply Delicious. I used leftover bacon for this so I skipped the cooking bacon step. Because I skipped that step I dug out the jar of bacon grease from the fridge and used a smidge to cook the paprika and garlic. I followed the recipe from there.
Tuesday Mar 27th:
Breakfast: kolaches
Lunch: Chicken strips with a friend
Dinner:Pulled Pork Enchiladas from Recipe Tin Eats. No picture but this was on the menu last night using the last of the leftover pork and some leftover tortillas from Sunday lunch.
Wednesday Mar 28th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch:Black Pepper chicken and Lo-Mein
Dinner: Fish Sticks and steamed rice
Thursday Mar 29th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Ham and Cheese sandwich with banana chips and diced peaches
Dinner: Steamed some broccoli, mixed it with the leftover rice and leftover chicken. I covered in cheese and baked.
I have not managed to make a meal plan and have just been pulling stuff out of the fridge and freezer for meals. This is not the best method for me since it leaves me in a panic when I get home but it is how this week is going.
Sunday Mar 25th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Lunch: Chicken Enchilada with friends
Dinner: Brinner! Pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs
Monday Mar 26th:
Breakfast: kolaches
Lunch: Ham and cheese sandwich, diced peaches and chips
Dinner: Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato and Mozzarella from Simply Delicious. I used leftover bacon for this so I skipped the cooking bacon step. Because I skipped that step I dug out the jar of bacon grease from the fridge and used a smidge to cook the paprika and garlic. I followed the recipe from there.
Tuesday Mar 27th:
Breakfast: kolaches
Lunch: Chicken strips with a friend
Dinner:Pulled Pork Enchiladas from Recipe Tin Eats. No picture but this was on the menu last night using the last of the leftover pork and some leftover tortillas from Sunday lunch.
Wednesday Mar 28th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch:Black Pepper chicken and Lo-Mein
Dinner: Fish Sticks and steamed rice
Thursday Mar 29th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Ham and Cheese sandwich with banana chips and diced peaches
Dinner: Steamed some broccoli, mixed it with the leftover rice and leftover chicken. I covered in cheese and baked.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Third Week of March
This week Phillip was out of town on a business trip so it was just the boys and I so dinner was all about what they wanted.
Sunday Mar 18th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Dinner:
Monday Mar 19th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Wendy's kid's meal
Dinner: pizza
Tuesday Mar 20th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: leftover pizza , yogurt and blackberries
Dinner: Rosa's for taco Tuesday with a friend and the boys
Wednesday Mar 21st:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: wendy's for kid's meal
Dinner: grilled cheese and ice cream from the ice cream truck
Thursday Mar 22nd:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: leftover pizza, yogurt and blackberries
Dinner: Little Smokies in BBQ sauce and homemade mac-n-cheese
Friday Mar 23rd:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Fresh pizza with a friend
Dinner: Pan grilled chicken with Mesquite seasoning, sauteed asparagus and garlic toast.
Saturday Mar 24th:
Breakfast: biscuits
Lunch: Chick-Fil-A with the boys
Dinner: Pork Roast, buttered pasta and field peas
Sunday Mar 18th:
Breakfast: Donuts
Dinner:
Monday Mar 19th:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Wendy's kid's meal
Dinner: pizza
Tuesday Mar 20th:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: leftover pizza , yogurt and blackberries
Dinner: Rosa's for taco Tuesday with a friend and the boys
Wednesday Mar 21st:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: wendy's for kid's meal
Dinner: grilled cheese and ice cream from the ice cream truck
Thursday Mar 22nd:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: leftover pizza, yogurt and blackberries
Dinner: Little Smokies in BBQ sauce and homemade mac-n-cheese
Friday Mar 23rd:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Fresh pizza with a friend
Dinner: Pan grilled chicken with Mesquite seasoning, sauteed asparagus and garlic toast.
Saturday Mar 24th:
Breakfast: biscuits
Lunch: Chick-Fil-A with the boys
Dinner: Pork Roast, buttered pasta and field peas
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Second Round of Letters
I had a previous new year's resolution to write more letters and managed to send everyone in my address book a letter that year. I also picked up a couple of pen pals in the process and have decided to send another round.
There have been several people really on my mind lately and I feel like another round of letters will help them as well as me out.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
2018 Resolutions 3 Months In
I have been working on my resolutions for 3 months now. In case you have not read that post or have forgot my resolutions while accomplishing yours they are:
For 2018 I am working on the following:
1.) Minimizing our possessions
2.) Spend more time present with friends and family
3.) Finish the backyard and spend a huge amount of time out there with the boys.
4.) Read the stack of books next to my bed
5.) Hike more
6.) Bike ride a lot with the boys now that I have a helmet.
Progress on #1 is going WAAAAAYYYYY slower than I hoped. We have passed on, traded and sold a lot of the larger items we wanted to get rid of. I have also made many trips to the thrift store with boxes of donations. There is still a ton of stuff that needs to get out of the house. This weekend I plan on dropping stuff at various charities and getting by the kids resale shop. This will still leave a large box of stuff I am working on trading and selling. I also have a lot of stuff still to go through and hopefully get rid of. Lately I have to keep telling myself that it is a year long resolution and speed is not everything. It will get taken care of.
Progress on #2 is going better. I no longer say no right off the bat when we are invited to do things. The stuff from #1 is going to be there when we get home so it will not hurt to go have fun with friends.
Progress on #3 is just getting started since the weather is warming up. I spent several hours over the last couple of weekends working on clean up. The back yard is like the house and I somehow want it to magically come together in an instant but it just takes lots of labor initially.
Progress on #4 is slow but I knew this one would be. I am on the last of the library books I kept checking out on a loop. I have been looking to see if some of the stack are available in audio form from the library as this will enable me to breeze through them faster. I have only moved one out of the stack thus far but I am optimistic that much progress will be made.
Progress on #5 has not happened yet but I do have plans for tomorrow night which I hope work out. A state park within a short distance of us is doing a guided night hike tomorrow night.
Progress on #6 is in progress. The boys have been riding more and Phillip has even gone out on the tandem with Clark but I have not got my bike out yet.
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