Checking the List

I'm checking the list and checking it twice; and no I'm not Santa.

Tomorrow the big boy leaves for camp.  Overnight camp.  Four days and three nights.  Good thing he isn't going for a whole week otherwise.... otherwise I have no idea what I would be packing his gear in.

uniform - check
4 pairs of shorts - check
4 pairs of under clothes - check
4 shirts - check
jeans - um, no... it's going to be in the high 90s
sweatshirt - check (just in case)
raincoat - check
pencil and pad - check
camera - check (disposable - I'm not that silly)
towels - in the dryer, so almost check
bathing suit and water shoes - wearing
first aide kit, flashlight, toothbrush, cup, soap, shampoo, bug spray (non-aerosol), sunscreen, toothpaste - check, check, check and more checks
watch - um no, he would lose it
pocket knife - um no, he's 8 and clumsy
spending money - oh, I suppose
"old sneakers"  - check, does he have any that aren't old?
sleeping bag, blanket and pillow - triple check

So basically everything expect the kitchen sink.  He's not allowed to bring guns, ammunition, drugs, alcohol, cell phones, pets, fireworks, or "inappropriate reading material".  Dammit, I was going to try and pack his cat and send him with a fifth of JD and a copy of Hustler.  Ha... I know, I am so so funny.

Wish us luck tomorrow... hopefully I won't forget the towels.

Project Food Budget (Week 42)

Wow... week 42 already.  Only 10 weeks left in this project, how is that even possible.  I feel like my growth in this project has been slacking lately, and tonight was a big slap in the face in regards to that.

I spent about $7 at the farm stand earlier this week, one thing lead to another and we didn't eat the meals in the order I had planned this week (it was hot, I mean HOT and humid, and then the library closed the night we were going to go (because of the weather).  Anyhow, long story short... I know too late for that right, I ended up throwing out 90% of that produce tonight.  Ugh.  Then to add insult to injury the bag salad I had bought wilted before we ate it as well.  So tonight I ended up throwing out some $15 in food.

Budget: $125
Spent: $63.25 at the grocery, $7 at the farm stand and $30 (with tip) out at dinner

Actual meals this week:
Monday: Pasta salad
Tuesday: hot dogs, beans and cucumbers
Wednesday: dinner out
Thursday: ham steaks, Parmesan noodle and carrots and salad (if you count a bowl of iceberg salad)
Friday: bean burritos
Saturday: Parties!!!!  (not here)

Let's see how everyone else did this week:

• Emily Levenson
• Dairy-Free Cooking
• Cook Write Heal
• Warm As Pie
• xox, b
• Project Food Budget 2.0
• That's Just Me
• Two Eggs Over Easy
• Eat Whole Be Vital
• Four Happy Violets
• Pgh Dad
• yogabeautylife
• naMAMAste
• Six Dollars a Day
• What da Health?
• French Press
• Veggie Meal Maker
• Eryn Says...
• Charmingly Modern

Chitter Chatter

Monkey is starting to become very vocal - he loves chit chatting.  He'll babble and babble and babble; like he's having a real conversation with you; except you have no idea what language he's speaking.  All kidding aside he is picking up new words weekly now.

Here are some of the words in his ever expanding vocabulary:
Dada
Mama
Ay (for Ray)
Bi-Bo (big brother)
Ki-Ki (pronounced key-key, kitty)
Hi
Bye
Mmmmmmm (yum, he loves telling us when something tastes good)
Gen (again)
Ut-Oh
Uppie (for doggy/puppy)
Ish (fish, he LOVES watching fish)
Kah-Kah (nasty, gross, poo-poo, don't touch that, etc to the rest of us)

Want To Do

I am reading "Breaking the Good Mom Myth" (again, and a long over due again I might add) by Alyson Schafer; and the first chapter is dedicated to breaking the myth that good moms put their child in front of everything else; including caring for there own self.  The premise is that when mom is happy, healthy, and well rounded she is better able to care for her family and they in turn will be happier, healthier, and more well rounded.

This got me thinking about things I want to do; things I've long wanted to do FOR ME.  Yet, I've always had an excuse why to NOT do these things - so I'm going to take some time to review that list.

~ Run.  I've wanted to be a runner for a while.  I love the idea of running (or jogging or just plain walking) in the early morning hours, while the world is still quiet and the light is just right.  Will I make a good runner, will I be able to do it?  I have no idea because I've never tried.  I've always had one excuse after another - I need my sleep, the baby needs to nurse, etc, etc.

~ Wear cute shoes.  I own 6 pairs of shoes: flip-flops, black flats, black slip-ons (my mom calls these my ugly shoes), brown practical shoes, sneakers, and silver strappy heels.  Wow, that sounds like a lot when I write it out; but I am guessing my shoe collection is far smaller than most women's my age.  I would really like some cute, hip, fun shoes.  Why don't I buy them?  Because I am constantly putting my kids first.  I will buy them things they do not need (or want) before I buy things for myself; including things I need.  I am falling into the mom-martyrdom here.  Big. Time.

~ Wear make-up.  I wear none.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  For years I made this one of my New Year's resolutions.  The longest this ever lasted; about 6 weeks.  This year I didn't even attempt it.  I claim I have "no time" and that I am "too busy".  After all a "good mother" has time for her kids and not herself, right?  I think wearing make-up will help me feel better about my looks.  I can face the facts that my skin is starting to show my age with fine lines appearing and a very uneven skin tone.  For this I think I need to start small.  But I will admit I am clueless in this area.

OK, so there you have it.  Three things I want to do, but don't do because I put my kids first.  Do I think my own personal image or health has suffered because I am neglecting myself?  Yes.  Do I think taking care of me will make my kids happier, health and more well rounded?  Ehn, this I am not sure on.  But what do I have to loose?

Smiles & Laughing

My boys (all of them) make me smile and laugh.  They really can be addicting to be around sometimes.  Especially watching the kids in a bubble bath with red tinted water thanks to Avon fruit-punch kid bubble-bath.  Or when Husband does his Steve Urkel impression.

While at lunch yesterday I saw some plastic flowers "planted" outside.  This cracks me up to no end.  And it got me thinking what other things in day to day life make me smile or laugh.  Sometimes you need to try your hardest to see the good things in life (outside your family)....

So I composed a list.

~ Rainbows.  I've seen a lot of rainbows in the last few years, especially off exit 7 on the way home.  But really any rainbow makes me happy.  Like this one my friend R captured and shared on Facebook the other day.

~ Reading about good news; especially on some of the blogs I follow.  I love when other peoples happiness is contagious and you smile right along with them.

~ Chocolate, in particular surprise chocolate in the form of ice cream or muffins.

~ E-mails, letters or cards from friends that come just so they can see how you are doing.

~ OK... good surprises in general make me happy.  Like the other month when I came home to a package from my friend T, which had an eggs over easy diaper for Monkey in it.  That was really special, and certainly made me smile.

~ Completing a project I've been putting off.  The Lazy Mom blog stopped her "Things I've Been Meaning to Do" post, and I have stopped as a result of that.  Maybe I should re-institute this for myself.

~ The following movies: The Great Outdoors, Dragnet and Exit to Eden.  Always guaranteed a laugh no matter how many times I have seen them.

What's on your list?

Feelin' Like Superwomen

Friday night started out great.  Husband and I were enjoying watching "The King's Speech" when we heard him. Monkey, that is.  Typically he gets a dream feed every night at 10pm (give or take), and some times he wakes up for it and reminds me (not to nicely) that he wants to eat.  Fast-forward to 1am and I am still working on getting him back to sleep (damn teeth... you suck, please come in already).  When I finally drifted off to sleep I was envisioning a long day which would require serious quantities of coffee.

6:30am came, and the boys were awake and ready to go; but I was able to keep them at bay until 7:30am, and somehow once I rolled out of bed I was full of energy... I managed to...

make enough pancakes to eat today and freeze for later
do two loads of Turkey's laundry
play with the boys outside in the snow
address Monkey's birthday invites
nurse the baby about ten times
write some letters (yes, snail mail letters)
bring the last of the Christmas decorations to the attic
write a couple blog posts (and read a couple posts)
clean and organize the linen closet
sewed on Cub Scout patches, mended a stuffed animal and a pair of PJ pants
oversee Turkey writing out thank-you cards for his party.
take a shower with Monkey
play two games of Scrabbled Slam with Turkey
tickle Monkey by kissing his cheeks like crazy
change three poopy diapers
clean up the kitchen (twice)
make pretzels with the boys
play blocks with Monkey
play Yahtzee with Turkey
finished up Husband's web-site
and make dinner

.... so yeah, I totally woke up with a Superwomen complex... and felt the need to get EVERYTHING done, on very little sleep.

Project Food Budget (Week 15)

The budget this week is $150 again, and this includes our normal shopping, plus food shopping for Turkey's (friend only) birthday party this weekend, plus money for fish and chips ($13) on Friday.

Like last week, this weeks shopping is mostly stocking-up.  Store Y is having a can sale (3 for $1 on most veggies and both boys LOVE un-salted canned peas), so that's were we focused. OK, I made the list and Husband did the shopping.  Which he has sworn would never happen again, because people are crazy and grouchy at the store.  He did awesome sticking to the list and spent exactly as I figured, a hair under $60.  Really he should shop more often he did such an awesome job.  


I spent $9 at the store yesterday at lunch on some fruit for the house.

Last weekend, both of our moms cooked for us (mine on Saturday and his on Sunday), so that was a real treat.  And neither time did I have to do clean-up.  SPOILED!!!!  Monday Husband and I had a date and we spent $18.45 ($22.45 with tip) at red Robin.  Tuesday I don't recall what we had, but I know we ate at home.  Wednesday we had tuna sandwiches and fruit, tonight is rice and beans and Friday is fish and chips.  Saturday and Sunday are both un-planned for at this time, but they will be home and will be dependent on how I'm doing party planning and clean-up.

So far this week we've spent: $9+$60+$22.45 = $91.50 which is a good number to be at heading into the weekend.

Don't forget to check out these other participating blogs:

Emily Levenson
Dairy-Free Cooking
Test Kitchen Tuesday
Red Pen Mama
Acquired Tastes
Fit Flexitarian
Warm As Pie 
Katy Rank Lev
My Inner Healthy
Little Blue Hen
xox, b
What da Health?
Project Food Budget 2.0
A Nice Heart and a White Suit
Fresh...A New Chapter
Chandeleah
Two Eggs Over Easy 
That's Just Me
Eat Whole Be Vital
Four Happy Violets
Naturally {Un}refined
Pgh Dad  
yogabeautylife
Charmingly Modern
naMAMAste

TIBMTD Update: December

Let's see how I did this month....

1) Clean out the junk draws in my kitchen.  Technically only one of them is THE junk draw.  Not sure what the other one is SUPPOSE to be... but regardless they both need to be cleaned up.  Done and as a bonus I cleaned out the cabinet I keep the small appliances in.

2) Take more naps.  Really... I need more sleep.  I took 2 naps in December.  SCORE!!!


3) Go visit my cousin.  Done, we went out, saw their new house and meet their new baby.  




Oh yeah, I totally ROCKED December.  

Reflections

I could bore you with my reflections on 2011.... OK, more like depress you.  2011 started out wonderful with the birth of Monkey, but took a serious nose dive after that... OK, moving on... instead I present you with Baby New Year 2004.  Here is Turkey at 11 months (exactly) ringing in 2005.

This photo has made me realize a few things..

1) I wish I still had that carpet.
2) I wish I still had that gate.
3) I need to get a party hat to get a picture of Monkey this evening.
4) There are few things that make you feel older in life than watching your children grow up.  I cannot believe this is his 8th New Year's Eve.

Project food Budget: Holiday Shopping & Lesson Learned

Tonight I went food shopping for Christmas and a few days following.

I was ready.  Really ready.  I made my list, and double checked it against the circulars for the two local stores.  I stopped at store X (which I really don't like) on the way home from work and picked up a few odds and ends (less than $10 worth) that was on sale there.  It was 8pm, both boys were in bed, I had on my sneakers and a sweatshirt with front pocket (perfect for my list and pen).  I remembered my list, my pen, and even my shopping bags.  I was READY.

It was a pleasant night, warm for this late in December in New England.  I enjoyed the drive to the store listening to Christmas music and looking at all the lights.  I picked myself up a hot chocolate on the way, and braced myself for the crowds.

But there was no crowd, the store had maybe a dozen other shoppers in it.

I started in the baking isle, since I was going to spend a good deal of money on this and my ham.

I took my time, and shopped off my list.  It was a good shopping trip... I could think clearly and was able to add my groceries up in my head as a I went (a skill that I had lost after the birth of Monkey, I chalk it up to new mommy brain... hey, with a 7 year age gap I get to claim that again).

My budget was $150.  I knew I was doing good and picked up a few dollars worth of extra stocking stuffer chocolates.  My total was $149.44.  I did awesome.

Then I went to pay... and I could not find my debit card.  I was sure Husband gave it back to me after I asked him to do some last minute on-line shopping the other day.  He must have given it back to me.  I checked again and again, but could not find it.  So I counted the cash in my wallet... I was short (OK,  was surprised I had that much on me, who knew all those ones and fives would add up).  I had the clerk take off my conditioner and $8 worth of butter... and I had just enough... down to nearly my last penny... $135.13.

As soon as I got out of the store I called Husband.  He's sure he gave me back my debit card.  Then he checks his wallet... and there it is, safe and sound.

Lesson learned... make sure you have money on you when food shopping.

Don't forget to check out these other blogs and see how they did this week.  Hopefully no one else forget their debit card.

Emily Levenson
Dairy-Free Cooking
Test Kitchen Tuesday
Red Pen Mama
Acquired Tastes
Fit Flexitarian
Warm As Pie 
Katy Rank Lev
My Inner Healthy
Little Blue Hen
xox, b
What da Health?
Project Food Budget 2.0
Ignition Nutrition
A Nice Heart and a White Suit
Fresh...A New Chapter
Chandeleah
• Two Eggs Over Easy 
• That's Just Me
  

TIBMT Update: November

So... how did I do in November....

1. Take down AND put away the Halloween decorations.

Done, done and done... and the Christmas stuff is out.  I totally rock at this. :-)

2. Send out three packages - one to Melissa, another to another Melissa and one to my step-father's parents. 

2 out of 3 done.  I still owe Melissa hers, but that's because we had to get more flat rate boxes there were NOT designed to go to military bases.  Last time I checked she lived in a cute farm house, not on a base overseas.  But I do have the box... so I am really close.

3. Clean out and change over my purse to something new... I certainly have enough to choose from.  Over maybe I'll even get a new purse.  

I didn't get a new purse, but I did switch things over.  Loving the new cleaned out little bag I am sporting now.

4. Clean my and Husband's bedroom and re-arrangement for the winter months (read move the king size bed away from the heater so we don't bake in our sleep).

This is so NOT done.  Husband suggested we do it this weekend coming up, I laughed at him.  I just don't have the motivation to do this right now.

Things I've Been Meaning to Do (December)

Short and sweet list this month... because I do much better with short and sweet lists. Oh, and no photos this month because I left my camera at my mother-in-laws this weekend.  Sniff, sniff... I miss it so.  Glad Husband is going to get it tomorrow for me.

1) Clean out the junk draws in my kitchen.  Technically only one of them is THE junk draw.  Not sure what the other one is SUPPOSE to be... but regardless they both need to be cleaned up.

2) Take more naps.  Really... I need more sleep.

3) Go visit my cousin.

Things I've Been Meaning to Do (November)

Following the Original Lazy Mom...  I present to you my November list of things I've been meaning to do.

1) Take down AND put away the Halloween decorations.
They were cute and fun BEFORE it snowed.

2. Send out three packages - one to Melissa, another to another Melissa and one to my step-father's parents.  

It's all about the small size flat rate box.

3. Clean out and change over my purse to something new... I certainly have enough to choose from.  Over maybe I'll even get a new purse.  

4. Clean my and Husband's bedroom and re-arrangement for the winter months (read move the king size bed away from the heater so we don't bake in our sleep).

We don't want to look like this you know.

The Best Of (Part 5 & 6 of 10)

In case you've missed the first half of the list you can find it here.

I've been debating my #5 on this list for a while now, as this may be something that comes back to bite me in the butt as Monkey gets older.  But here it is anyhow....

drum roll please.... #5 on my list is.....

The pacifier.  And not just any pacifier, the Nuby Natural Touch, Soft-Flex Cherry Shape one to be exact.

Monkey loves this pacifier.  We call it a Nook (as we like to say "Monkey loves nookers, but not hookers.  I know we are a little strange.)  You see Turkey never took a pacifier, ok he did ONCE for about 10 seconds; and with all the studies showing pacifiers helped reduce the rate of SIDS Husband and I were all about finding  a pacifier Monkey would take.  We must have bought a dozen different types and brands of pacifiers before finding these and realizing how much Monkey loved it.  Now mind you, we can only buy these on-line (for way too much money), or drive to one particular Target 40 minutes away to get them.  But like I said he loves this pacifier and takes sucking on his pacifier very seriously.

Chillin' with my mom and his nook.

Out and about with his nook and a book.

Drifting off to sleep at Pumpkin Feast with his nook.

Getting ready for bed with his nook.

Now you will notice in many of these photos Monkey's nook is tethered to him. And this brings me to #6...

drum roll please....

#6 on my top ten list is the Booginhead Pacifier Holder, or as we like to call it in our house the leash (the complete combo is nook-on-a-leash... never leave home without it).  We have several "leashes" as they are great for keeping other items close at hand in the stroller/carrier/carseat, etc.

For example: you can have teething-ring-on-a-leash.

Or my favorite, Sophie-on-a-leash.

What?? Doesn't everyone keep a French rubber giraffe hanging around?

Jumping on the Pig aka Project: Food Budget 2.0

A few days ago I read Erica G's blog, Warm as Apple Pie, and she was working on Project: Food Budget 2.0; I was intrigued and wanted more info.  She pointed me to Emily Levenson who started this project... and now at Week 3 I am jumping on the pig.

I used to be BIG on menu planning , but then the baby came along and the wheels fell off.  We've tried a few times to get back to it, but one thing or another always seems to get in the way, so hopefully this is the kick in the pants I need.  As an added bonus when I menu plan everyone gets to pick at least one meal, so they have at least one of their favorites to look forward to.

When I was menu planning I was also shopping from a list, based on that menu.  Shopping to AND sticking to the list helps save money.  It really does.  Don't argue.  :-)

So this weeks menu.

Monday: Eat at my Mom's House!!  (bonus)
Tuesday: Tacos (Turkey's choice)
Wednesday: Meatless Pasta (Husband's choice)
Thursday: Tuna Sandwiches (Turkey's choice) with Oven Fries
Friday: Crockpot Chicken, Winter Squash, Orzo (My pick)
Saturday: Out of Town (Pumpkin Feast... from our bucket list)
Sunday: Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage, Fruit Salad (My pick)

Lots and lots of salad (as always), and fruit, and milk.  Husband is having grinders for lunch this week.  I'll be taking soup and sandwiches for lunch.  Turkey is buying lunch 4 out of 5 days this week at school.

My budget $100 (not including Saturday eating out, Pumpkin Fest is on it's own budget).

Let's see how it goes.

Things I've Been Meaning To Do (October)

I am SO LATE at posting this post this month... so late in fact I can't do the link-up over on Lazy Mom's board.

No pictures this month as my goals are fairly embarrassing (as in I couldn't imagine anyone not in my immediate family seeing how bad these are).

1) Clean and organize my pantry.

2) Clean out my nasty fridge

3) Clean out and sort out my Tupperware / Table Cloth area

If I can't get these three done this month (despite October being super busy already) I am in big trouble.

Update: TIBMTD Sept. List

OK, let's see how I did or didn't do on my list in September.  

1) Develop these single use cameras from our wedding.  It's only been like a year and a half... so why not finally get it done now, right?  HA!  Didn't even think about doing this.

2) Start filling in this Family Tree / Family Album.  I bought it at least 4 months ago.  

I looked at this and thought about doing it.  But alas, didn't get to it.

3) Tidy up the coat rack area.  If this doesn't get under control soon we'll never have room for the dreaded winter gear.  

Did this!!!  Several times I might add.  Too much rain lately.

4) Put pictures in this frame.  I have them (OK, I am short one and that's why this isn't done).  I did this as well.  And we hung it up.  Do I get bonus points for that?

5) Go around to each room and make a list of what that room needs.  

Started this.  So that counts.  

All in all not to bad considering we had another family death in September.  I wonder what October has in store.  Hopefully good health for all my loved ones.

The Best Of (Part 4 of 10)

I've been thinking long and hard about the next thing on my list of the Top 10 Baby Items, and then today it came to me as Monkey was screaming his head off and I was searching for Baby Dee.  Baby Dee is #4.

So.... drum roll please.... #4 on the list is.....

The Hasbro/Playskool Glow Worm, or as we call it around our house Baby Dee.

Monkey, around age 3 months with Baby Dee.

Baby Dee got his name from my, now, 16 year old cousin and Goddaughter V.  When V was a baby she needed her Baby Dee, all the time.  Over the years she had several Baby Dees.  My aunt would just keep buying them and replacing them, saying that Baby Dee had gone to get cleaned up or to the doll hospital... you get the idea.

Back then Baby Dee only came in green, and was much longer - now they are short and study and come in blue or pink (isn't that special).  But they still do the same thing, you squeeze their belly and their face lights up and they play music for about 30 seconds (That's my only complaint, why of why, for the love of.... can't they play and light up for like 10 minutes.  Oh heck, I would be happy with 5 minutes.  Who am I kidding?  3 minutes and I would be good.)


When Monkey is crying and nothing soothes him; not the boob, the pacifier, or daddy cuddles; we know it's "Baby Dee Time".  We grab that silly little glow worm, put it right up to his face and squeeze... and then the calm come.  Red eyed Monkey stops crying and looks, stares really, at Baby Dee.  And then Baby Dee turns off, he starts to whimper, so we squeeze again.  A few more rounds of this, and Monkey is happy, chewing on his baby's ear.

We've even had car trips where we have paid Turkey $2 to squeeze and hold Baby Dee to his brother's face over and over again.

We love Baby Dee in this house.  We all do, even the 7 year old has been known to yell "It's Baby Dee time."

Full Disclosure: We didn't pay for our Baby Dee, we had Kohl's Cash and got it for free; but I was not paid for this review and would gladly buy a Baby Dee should we ever need a second one.


You can find items 1, 2 and 3 on my list here.  

Fall Bucket List

Fall is here!!! (Ok, not officially, but close enough.)  This summer we didn't get to do hardly anything we had been hoping for, and we've had a rough start to the fall, so I figured some looking forward to the future is  needed right now.

So here we go... what we, the grand family of Two Eggs Over Easy, would like to do this fall.

- Go to the town fair
- Go to The Big E
- Go apple picking
- Make, bake and freeze several apple pies
- Go pumpkin picking
- Carve pumpkins before Halloween
- Take the boys Trick Or Treating
- Go for a drive to the Mohawk Trail
- Go to a Corn Maze
- Have a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner
- Go to Yankee Candle and get our Christmas ornaments for the year (we get personalized ones each year)
- Husband and Turkey to go overnight camping
- Have a Halloween party (this is on Turkey's bucket list)
- Go on a Halloween Date with Husband and go on a Haunted Hey Ride
- Visit with our friends in CT
- Go to the Keene Pumpkin Fest with my mom
- Go to the book sale at the library
- Build a scarecrow

Wish us luck... this family could sure use some FUN.

The Best Of (Part 3 of 10)

So far on the list we have had 1) The Arms Reach Co-Sleeper and 2) The Woombie.... and now tonight I present you with #3 (aren't you lucky???)....

Drum roll please....

And #3 is the "nursing tank".  Specifically the nursing tanks that Target sells.  If you plan on nursing for any period of time a nursing tank is a must have for your new mom wardrobe.  The simplicity of being able to unclasp your top and offer you baby a meal is key in trying to balance it all.  Not to mention they are cute (I've had several compliments on mine), and versatile (you can wear them under a number of things as the weather gets cooler).   Now granted they don't have to be the Target brand.  But at $16 each, how can you go wrong?

Full Disclosure: I was not paid or offered product for this review.  Views are solely my own.