February 2012 Plans & Goals + a Photo Challenge

I am hoping my February plans and goals will be more successful than my January ones.

I read ever the weekend on this blog about a February photo challenge I can do through Instagram.  I cannot wait to get started.

January 2012 Goals & Plans - A Review

So let me just say I didn't knock off as much as I wanted to in January. 

I DID make three new meals.  I actually made more than three.

Chris and I DID go on a date night to a favorite local place one Friday night when Maddie was at a school event.

And the rest... well I didn't complete.  I did use My Fitness Pal... some.  I got caught up on a lot of magazines.  I read a bunch of blogs.

Oops... I really need to be more with it for February.

Miscellany Monday

- My weekend was pretty busy.  We had lunch with my mother-in-law to celebrate her birthday, went to Home Goods, and watched 50/50 (good movie) on Saturday. Maddie and I traveled to Massachusetts for the day to visit family, have lunch, go shopping, and then we stayed for dinner. I wasn't home much at all. My house is a wreck.  I never made a weekly meal plan.  I need to grocery shop.

- I made these fabulous Reese's Pieces White Chocolate bars Saturday night and I cannot wait to share the recipe this week.

- I picked up Peanut Butter Cheerios at Target yesterday after reading about them on a blog and I cannot wait to try them.

- I bought a new rug for my entry way and a new canvas painting for my living room this weekend.  I love them both.

- I need to work on my goals for February... it should be pretty easy as I will just transfer over many of the January ones I didn't do.

- We have an informational meeting this week for an overnight field trip for Madison.  This makes me a little very nervous (the trip... not the meeting).

- I don't care for Mondays.  It is my long day "at" work. I work a 9-3 shift and then a 5-8 shift.


I am linking up at lowercase letters today.

Dear______, (Letters I Would Like to Send)

I saw this on a few other blogs and thought it would be fun to do today...  Here are some letters I would like to send...

...........................................




Dear Boss,

Thank you so much for scheduling me today with a four hour break in between my shifts. I was able to leave my house during the day.  I went to Panera and TJ Maxx and felt like a normal person again.  It was great.

Sincerely,

Happy Employee

...........................................

Dear Old & Crazy Man at Panera,

Thank you for totally cutting me in line.  You must also be blind, because why else wouldn't you have seen me standing there ready to place my order.  It is only because I was so blissfully happy to be out and about in the middle of the day that I chose to ignore it and patiently wait to place my order. 

Sincerely,

Lady You Cut In Line
...........................................



Dear Rhode Island DMV,
 
I guess it wasn't enough I had to go to the DMV twice.  Or that you required a ridiculous amount of paperwork.  Or that you charged a fortune... and have yet to even cash my checks.  Or even that you put the wrong last name on our car's registration.  But had I known you print the driver's WEIGHT on the licenses (they do not do that in VIRGINIA) I would have deducted way more weight than I did when I filled out the form.
 
Sincerely,
 
Lady Who Doesn't Want People I Write Checks To Knowing My Weight
 
...........................................



Dear Super Sweet Cousin,
 
You are an angel.  You are one of the nicest, sweetest, kindest people I know.  But your baby is due exactly when my baby should be due.  I am still sad, bitter, and angry.  I simply cannot attend your baby shower that I just found out about.  I will however promise to send you a kick ass gift.  I am good at sending great baby gifts... apparently not so good at staying pregnant.
 
Sincerely,
 
Lady Who Refuses To Attend Baby Showers
 
...........................................



Dear Uterus and Ovaries,
 
I hate you.   I hate you for not giving me my period this week.  It is not a very nice trick to play on someone who desperately wants to be pregnant again. Or on someone who is tracking like a crazy woman.  Can you just come on time? Or not come at all...let's say for 9+ months?  Why do you screw with me and come late (when I am not pregnant)?
 
Sincerely,
 
Woman Who Wants a Baby

SO WHAT Wednesday

I am linking up with Shannon at Life After I Do for -

SO WHAT... if this morning after I put Madison on the bus I got back in bed. I then watched Teen Mom (Jenelle is a MESS) and then Tori & Dean before work at 10 AM.

SO WHAT... if for the past three days I ate my lunch (a homemade chicken salad sandwich on rye) during breakfast time and my breakfast (Van's whole grain waffles) during lunch time.  Yep... I have had the exact same breakfast and lunch the past three days. 

SO WHAT... I am really considered deleting the Facebook app from my phone.  I am way too addicted to it.

SO WHAT... if we've had pizza twice this week.  My husband ordered pizza on Monday while I was working instead of making the dinner I had planned.  Tonight I made homemade pizzas - a pepperoni and a BBQ chicken one.

SO WHAT... if my exciting activity tomorrow is a trip to Wal Mart. Madison is babysitting in the afternoon and we need shelves for our garage and an organizer for our bathroom.

SO WHAT... if I don't tum our heat up past 62 degrees in the winter.  We can very easily cover up with blankets while watching TV in the evenings.  Plus Madison has two down comforters on her bed.  She is plenty warm enough.  Oil heat is expensive.  I keep it at 59 during the day when it is just me at home and when we sleep at night.  It really isn't as cold as that may seem.

 

5 Ingredient Cookie Bars - YUMMY Recipe

Of course I found this great recipe on Pinterest... so I need to give credit to Not Rachel Ray and to What Megan's Making where she adapted the recipe from. I am pretty convinced you can add  anything to the batter and these would be amazing.  I have made them twice so far with leftover peanut butter m&ms.  I sent them in last week to Madison's school as a dessert for her science fair judges.  Her science teacher tried one and told her during class they were amazing.  I usually do not buy Bisquick, but had some leftover from the 7 Up Biscuits I made the other week that I got from Plain Chicken... so I was happy to find a dessert recipe I could use the rest of the box on.

Source: notrachaelray.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Remembering...

I had two Macys' giftcards left over from one of my bridal showers.  Last weekend I ordered this charm for my Pandora bracelet... to remember our baby we lost in November.

It arrived this afternoon.  I put it on my Pandora bracelet... and I love it. The feet look dirty in this pic... but it is just the lighting.

Would You Believe Me?

Would you believe me if I told you..

-That yesterday I moved our kitchen table into the foyer to work. I love this new setup and plan on doing it every day now.

- That I ordered these shoes slippers last week and I cannot wait until they arrive.  They are Uggs... I chose these instead of the boots... I plan on wearing them...everywhere I go... which is like to the grocery store.

- That I went back to the DMV yesterday and it was packed.  Thankfully I had a ticket which said I had been there before and I was called pretty quickly... only to find out when I got up there that they NEEDED MY HUSBAND... cue panic... and three phone calls until I got ahold of him.  I pretty much said "get your ass here now"... ten minutes later there he was... and we got everything handled with my license and car.

- That when I got home and looked at my registration before putting it in my glove box... the lady listed our last name WRONG... yes... WRONG... she listed it as ending in a -ARIO instead of a -ADO... really slow and crappy Rhode Island DMV people?

- That I basically told my husband I was done with the DMV and he would have to handle the registration name screw-up on  his own when he goes back next week for his license...

- That I have an expensive digital camera... that I never use... I pretty much just use my iPhone.

-That today I am planning a trip to Ikea. Woohoo!!

Insta Friday

Here is a little recap of our past week via Instagram photos...

The book I started reading...



Dinner one night this week - a baked rigatoni made with two different sauces...



Maddie at our Panera date last Sunday...

Toffee nut cookie at Panera...so good... I so have to recreate this recipe at home...

The BEST salad at Panera... this is the half Blue Cheese & Steak Chopped Salad... another recipe I need to create because I could eat it every.single.day...

After our Panera date we went to the book store and Madison used some gift cards + my teacher discount I still use to pick out these two books...

Another Panera trip... carrot cake cupcakes...with a cream cheese filling... I will  be recreating these.

A quote I found... and am trying to remember...everyday...



Our house...this morning... in the snow...



A photo I took this morning while waiting for Madison's bus to pick her up.

Madison before school this morning...wearing a new sweater she got for Christmas...



A view of our neighbor's house I took from our front door this morning...



Something else I made this week... leftover buffalo chicken dip scooped om little bread slices = Buffalo Chicken Crostini...yum...

SO WHAT Wednesday

I am linking up with Shannon for So What Wednesday!





SO WHAT... if when my 12 year old tells me stories about the crazy stuff she has found on You Tube it makes me want to claw my eyes out... long... drawn out stories... like the one of the 4 Asian men jumping on the bed when Miss Philippines made it to the next round in Miss Universe... really? Or the one about the dad who faked his arrest to make his kid do his homework.  If I have to hear one more store... I am finding a way to block You Tube on her iPad.

SO WHAT... if sometimes when I find a new blog... I will sit and read the entire thing... this past weekend I sat and read through two new ones... in their entirety.

SO WHAT... if I spend more time than I should reading blogs, checking Facebook, and watching trashy reality TV.

SO WHAT ... if I still haven't bought any boots.  It was around 20 degrees on Monday and I wore flip flops when we went grocery shopping and out to lunch.

SO WHAT... if we have lived here 5 months and today I am finally going to the DMV this morning... I hope it doesn't take all day long because I have to work at noon... I have an expired inspection sticker...expired tags...and I need a new license.    I am so embarrassed typing that... I have been such a major slacker with going to the DMV... not to mention I knew it was going to be lots of $$$ so I have been putting it off.  Today is the day. Edited to add - I only left with temporary tags for 5 days.. apparently I need to change my name at social security (even though I got a new VA license after my wedding with no issue.. I will be going there tomorrow), and get a VIN check at the police station to make sure my car isn't stolen, and have the bank fax over a copy of my titile all before I can go back in 5 business days (when they are closed weekends) and I work early the next 5 business days...sigh...

SO WHAT... if I drive my kid to the bus stop... that you can see from our front door.  It has been cold and I don't want her standing out in the cold.

Oreo Poke Cake ~ A Pinterest Fail For Me

Yesterday I talked about our meal plan for the week which included this dessert -

Source: thecountrycook.net via Sarah on Pinterest

I made it this afternoon... and I wasn't impressed.  It tasted like pudding on top of cake.  That is it.  I also think that I let the pudding sit for too long before pouring it over the cake because even though I made a ton of holes... the pudding didn't seem to fill in the holes.



Add this one to my Pinterest fails.

"Pin"spiration for Weekly Meal Planning

Saturday evening while watching a Lifetime movie I worked on our meal plan and grocery list for the week.  Pinterest has been such a source of "pin"inspiration for my meal planning lately.

Sunday – Baked Rigatoni & garlic bread

 

Monday – Ranch House Chicken (crockpot), mashed potatoes & corn

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Tuesday - Spicy Shrimp Fried Rice and Sweet & Sour Chicken

Source: skinnytaste.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I am going to use this sauce over some chicken chunks I am going to cook up in our wok.

Source: seriouseats.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Wednesday- Buffalo Chicken Wraps &  Oven Baked Fries

Source: justthe3ofus-melissachrismaddie.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Thursday – Subway for dinner after Madison finishes babysitting

I also plan on doing some baking this week.  I am sending in some desserts to Madison's school this week for an event -

Oreo Poke Cake

Source: thecountrycook.net via Sarah on Pinterest

Sugar Cookie Bars

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I Should Have Done More...

Friday evening Madison and I met Chris after he got off work because we had some things to get done at the bank (which is on the naval base) and we had to ride in with him.

Afterwards we had an early dinner at Chilis.  I took my car to the grocery store for a few things and Chris and Maddie went to get some movies at Red Box.

I did my shopping...and got in line.  As I was putting my items on the belt.. there were two men in front of me (with different transactions) one who was trying to pay.  He tried two different cards... neither worked... and they sent him away.  I watched the cashier take his items out of his bag... there weren't very many items...

I kept thinking I wish I was right after him... I would have spoken up and offered to pay for the groceries he was getting... but I felt like I was too far back and wouldn't have been able to do it quietly and discreetly... so I didn't. 

As the cashier was helping me... I kept hoping she would go faster.  I went through my wallet and pulled out a $20 bill... hoping that I would see this man when I left the store and could give him the money to go back in and get his things.

By the time I got out he was gone... I drove around the parking lot a few times...but it was dark and crowded and I couldn't find him.  I called my mother to tell her the story and felt choked up like I couldn't get the words out.

We have struggled financially in the last six months since moving here... and things are really starting to look up for us.  I have had to cut back a lot... and I watch what I buy at the store... but I have never not been able to buy groceries... we have yet to go hungry... but I know the feeling must be awful... and I really wanted to help this man...  I wish Maddie or Chris had been with me... I could have ran after him to give him the money... but I was alone and so I didn't.

I should have done more...

Friday Randoms...

~ So I haven't been to Curves all week... which is horrible I know.  I wanted need to go this morning.  I am hoping I still have time to go before work.

~ Instead I am sitting here waiting for the oil company to deliver the oil to heat our house.  Does anyone else have oil heat? This is our first time with it and it is a ridiculous chunk of money all at one time... I miss my monthly gas payment from back in Virginia.

~ While I sit and wait I have folded laundry, made a list of bills I am going to pay off next week, and of course... wrote this blog post all while watching last night's Grey's Anatomy episode.

~ Last night I didn't feel like making dinner. So Madison and I picked up Subway...which we ate on the couch... while watching this week's episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter.

~ I have over 5000 emails in my AOL email account... I really need to go through it and clean them out.

~ Madison waited until last minute to finish her science fair project... but ended up happy with the results.

~ I am working on a new handpainted sign...

~ Our 2011 Shutterfly Album ~

Today I got a $20 off code in my email from Shutterfly.  I took that as the kick in the pants I needed to go ahead and order my 2011 family book I make every year.   I used my Scentsy rewards card to pay for the balance and basically ended up not having to pay any money out of pocket for my album.  This one is smaller than usual.. mainly because I waited until late December to finally do it.  I am happy to say I have already started our 2012 album.

Here is our 2011 album -

Click here to view this photo book larger

A Pinterest Inspired Dinner

I made this chicken tonight for dinner.  The pin described it as just like KFC... and while I wouldn't describe it as such, it was really good and everyone ate it.  It is baked, not fried.

Source: thewondertwins.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I also served these 7-Up biscuits.  These were amazing.  I will definitely be making these again.

Source: plainchicken.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I served this meal with my homemade macaroni and cheese recipe and green beans.

DIY LOVE - Making Your Own Rug From Fabric = Super Easy

My in real life friend (back when I had those...when we lived in Virginia) made this RUG and posted it on her BLOG.  Kara is way super crafty... way more so than me and I love/need/want a new rug like this.  I am hoping she will read this post, the email I sent her, and the comment I just left on her blog... and make me one... and mail it to Rhode Island. 

Source: happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

All you need is some fabric and a few supplies from Home Depot or Lowes and you can make one too!!  Isn't is amazing??

I am thinking something fun and colorful and bright... and chevron like this would be perfect -

Source: tonicliving.com via Liz on Pinterest

Thinking Ahead for Valentine's Day

Pinterest is my # 1 go to now for inspiration for home decor, cooking, and baking.   I have been thinking ahead to Valentine's Day and wanted to share some great things I came across.

If you want to follow my pins you can do so here.

I am so making a cake in the shape of a heart -

Source: google.com via Melissa on Pinterest

A homemade pizza with heart shaped pepperonis is a great idea -

Source: onecharmingparty.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Madison loves rice krispy treats so I know this would be a hit -

Source: lovefromtheoven.com via Melissa on Pinterest

These cupcakes are beautiful -

Source: sweetopia.net via Melissa on Pinterest

I've been wanting to try my hand at sugar cookies with royal icing... this may be an easy way to to start -

Source: myworldispink.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

These seem simple and tasty for a fun little treat -

Source: lovefromtheoven.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I doubt Madison will do Valentine's this year... but here are some cute ideas -

Source: tammymitchellphotography.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: familyfun.go.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Recipe - Baked Buffalo Chicken Wontons {YUMMY}

These are always a big hit when I make them.  If you like buffao chicken stuff... then I highly suggest you make these.  They are super easy to make.



Ingredients -

1 package of wonton wrappers (usually in the produce section in any grocery store)

4 ounces of cream cheese

8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

1 small bottle of ranch or blue cheese dressing

1 1/2 cups of buffalo wing sauce

3 chicken breasts (cooked and chopped)

Directions -

Heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

Place 1 wonton wrapper inside of each tin.

Mix softened cream cheese, the chicken, shredded cheese, and buffalo wing sauce.

Scoop into each wonton cup to fill up.

Bake 12-25 minutes until bubbly and the wonton wrappers brown.

Serve with a tiny it of dressing on top of each cup or serve the dressing on the side for dipping.

Notes -

* You can use canned chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken in this recipe

*Sometimes I use chive and onion cream cheese if that is what I have on hand

*You can add some blue cheese crumbles to the mix before stuffing the wontons

*If you don't have a mini-muffin tin you can wrap the wontons and bake on a regular cookie sheet.

*You could always fry the wontons

I am linking this recipe up at -