Zoo Lunch

This is what Annika and I took to the zoo with us on our field trip Thursday. Roast beef and spinach rolled up in a tortilla with a bit of cream cheese spread on it. Carrot, broccoli, and cucumber slices with a side of ranch dip (for Annika only, I chose to have naked veggies) a cheese stick cut into thirds for easy packing in my container, and some apple slices to top it all off. This was more than we could eat for both lunch and a mid-morning snack, which surprised me quite a bit as it did not seem to be that much food. And, surprisingly enough, Annika ate the sandwich, then the broccoli, then the carrots, then the cucumber (which is usually her favorite veggie) and finally the apples and cheese stick for a 2-o'clock snack on the drive home. Odd.

Wed's lunch

I might start a semi-regular series of photos here of the lunches I pack for the kids. I know this site is all about me, but I have had some inquires about what I pack for lunch and what my kids eat, so this is my way of addressing this. Plus, I am kinda obsessed with this topic ... part of my nutritional stuff, ya know.

So, tomorrows lunch (per Lauren's request) consists of roaches in sandy logs (we were out of raisins, so I used dried cherries - they're bigger so thus they are roaches.) two sticks of colby cheese in one container. Mango, pineapple (and later some kiwi was added too) ranch flavored wheat thin crackers, and grape tomatoes. In the little blue container (my only official bento gear, btw) are some extra roaches ... err dried cherries. I also will pack a home made chocolate chip cookie.

Laundry Line

I did it! A few weeks ago I located some PVC piping, a drill, and some rope and I created a laundry line that will dry a load of laundry and still be rather inconspicuous. Bill really does not like to see laundry hanging up on the line (the snob that he is. har!) so I thought about it for awhile, and found the perfect compromise.

He still does not like it much, but come on, is it really that noticeable hanging off the trellis of our walk out basement? I think not! So, green laundry drying and lower energy bills here we come! And with the price of gas lately, we need to save our pennies everywhere we can!

Word Salad

Heee Heeee

Our entire family has decided that we are going to learn a foreign language together. (not sure how that will actually work, but we are working on it.) Not being very language savvy myself, I have always struggled, and really never possessed the desire to learn another language. But yesterday, while watching an older episode of Boston Legal) I decided that I am going make Word Salad my foreign language!

What is word salad, you ask? (Does it come with a side of ranch?) Well, if you believe everything you see on TV (and don't we all) it is where you think one thing, and nonsense, mixed up words come out of your mouth. For instance, if I wanted to say, "Good morning teacher. How was your weekend," what might come out instead is, "Frog legs piggy bank. Books and teapots eat away my lifeline."

Now, wouldn't that be fun to mess with my kids? And neighbors. And friends. he he he he.....

I got a job offer ...

You gotta love it when a job offer comes your way without even really searching for it. Yea, I have been doing little volunteer things with the intent of networking and such for when I am actually looking for a job, but this one kinda fell into my lap.

The position is through Gleaner's Food Bank, and their Operation Front Line program. I have volunteered to help run a 6-week program teaching food cooking, nutrition, shopping etc. to various groups. I love the class and program, and am excited to bring it to our county here. So, when I found out that they needed someone to help run this satellite office/program I was excited. Originally I was told it would be one day a week - sweet! I can handle that; and even in the summer one day of day care for the kids will not be a problem. But, it turns out that this job is a grand 30 hrs a week, and only until Aug. 25th. Sigh. This is more than I am willing to take on for the summer months, combined with watching Isaac one to two days a week too.

So right now I am trying to see if I can swing a "job share" program with another person. They would probably rather not deal with TWO people in the position .... and all the extra headaches that comes with multiple people. So, I do not hold much hope now. One day a week, for a much longer time sounded much much nicer than 30hrs a week for the entire summer, and then no more work once the summer is over. Especially since both kids will be in school full time starting in Sept.

So, I'll keep a look out for another part time job in the fall. Maybe. Maybe this part time temporary job will pan out. I hate turning down a good thing, but ....

Don't you hate it when a good things suddenly turns out to have a few twists and clouds?

Birthday Loot, and Mom's Day Too

I enjoyed a decent birthday last week. Well OK, actually the girls were overtired and cranky - especially Annika. And as we all know by now, cranky kid equals cranky parents. So I was rather cranky by the end of the evening. Annika and I kept butting heads, and for those who know me, the more I but heads with someone, the more I dig in my heals and refuse to budge. Not a great trait to have when it comes to young kids. But it is mine, so I make the best of it ... whatever that means!

But, I did have a decent morning, and the girls were SO excited to make me my cake and to

give me their gifts.We always make a cake with the girls for birthdays. Sometimes it turns out better than others, (this wasn't one of those times) but this is one of our traditions, and the girls absolutely love it! This time they actually set their alarms and woke us up at 7am, bouncing off the walls with excitement. I think I remember Annika being the most excited too. I think - It was early, and a whole week ago now!

Earlier in the week Bill took them out shopping for my gifts. Bill made me a bluebird house, something I thought would be nice to have and to attract a pretty songbird. Annika insisted on giving me this hummingbird garden ornament thingy. And Lauren chose a rain gauge that rests in a ceramic toad. We've name him Toad the Wet Sprocket, or Sprocket for short. So now when it rains, which it has finally done twice since my birthday, we check Sprocket for the rain totals. (So far we have had just under 1/2" and then yesterday 5/8", in case you were wondering) I also received a very nice bowl-type humming bird feeder. And some money to go shopping. I see some bento boxes and produce bags in my future!

For Mother's Day I finally got a good broom! YEA! I swept this evening and it actually looks as if I had swept afterwards - hallelujah!! The girls gave me some really cute hand made gifts, so I am happy. It was a good day, and I feel well loved by all.

Still waiting on my sink drain plug and eco-gear. Guess I'll have to get that myself. I think Bill got me the broom more so because it was a funny gift. Yea, I'm strange, what can I say.

I laughed and cackled and rode around my broom for effects.

I Survived!

Does anyone else have Gloria Gaynor singing in the background? ...for as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive ....

But the true story is that I, and my entire family, survived the entire month of April with only 8 unecessary purchases. And some of these are borderline necessary. Borderline - I know we could have gotten along without any of them, if we truely HAD too. But the bigger victory, for me .... I exposed many other people to the idea of actually thinking of not consumming oh so much stuff all the time. I had a few positive responses to this idea, and unfortunatly more than a few, "You are nuts!" comments. But, one step at a time, right? And everyone kept asking me how I was doing, so a good dialogue was opened up here. I am sure that as soon as I left there was quite a bit of behind-my-back chatter, but I'm ok with that! Everyone here thinks I am nuts, and I know that! :)