Where did it go?

It's February. Last time I looked we were preparing for winter, buying pumpkins and thinking (yes just thinking) of the upcoming holidays. I'm ashamed to say I took down my Christmas tree yesterday and finally feel like I'm getting my life back after a whirlwind holiday season.
Two trips to Wisconsin (Thanksgiving AND Christmas) gave me no leisure time at all from November 20 to January 5, and the $450 utility bill for December has meant more hours at the part time job (to supplement the FULL time job) which equals - you've got it - almost NO time at home.

Anyway, it's tax time - and I'm almost anxious to start working on them. Any additional money (after utility bills) will go towards some exterior home improvements (aka house painting) come spring. We've had sunshine in Fargo for the last two days (I KNOW... Can you believe it?), and I'm foolishly thinking that these winter days could be numbered. HA. It's a trick of Mother Nature. Some of the worst weather in this part of the country comes in February and March.

Ah well - just wanted to check in and tell you all to think of me next weekend. Eleven teenage girls sleeping over to celibrate my daughter's 17th birthday. I've started working on the grocery list already - and the first thing on the list is earplugs. Yes, a bleak attempt at the possibility of actually getting some sleep, but nonetheless, I'll try.
God bless you all - and hang in there with those post holiday diets. I just started mine this past Monday (yeah - I know - just like the Christmas tree, I'm late with this too) but I have lost 2.5 pounds so don't knock it! I'll keep you posted on my progress. Happy February 1!

Our Country, 'Tis of Thee... say what?

Did anybody watch the debate last night? Talk about a quandry. My favorite part was actually AFTER the debate when the college students addressed how THEY were voting, based on the debate. I'm not going to get political here, other than to state that times are tough, and in a sense, I'm looking forward to getting back to basics... times when families were stronger, and people actually paid attention to what they were spending. Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy making a game of seeing how I can cut corners (in a good sense), and recycle, and use coupons, and make things myself that I normally would buy...

I mean - technology is great and all that, but I appreciate a time when people meant more than things. Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic because I'm heading back to Wisconsin tomorrow for a very long weekend - and that's the place that is home and family for me. At any rate, it's a gorgeous time to drive through the midwest, and experience the fall colors in all their glory. Wish me safe driving (AND staying awake through the 8.5 hour drive). I'm SO excited.

Sunday

Well, it's Sunday - four minutes to midnight, and my dinner dishes are still sitting in the sink. I'm one of those anal folk - won't be able to go to sleep until the kitchen is clean, so I have no idea why I'm sitting here typing except for this blogging thing sounds like a fun idea.

I'm on day 7 of my own version of Medifast. I've lost five pounds so far this week and it hasn't been difficult at all. After losing what is probably close to 300 pounds in my life (30 - 50 pounds at a time), I'm so excited to hopefully be doing this once and for all. Even amidst the protein and veggie dinner that I had, I made my kids this new Macaroni Grill pasta dish and it was fantastic. Quick and easy and the kids BOTH loved it. That's my kind of dinner. Dessert (for them - not me), was a Tastefully Simple favoriet: Old Fashioned Bread Pudding and Warm Brown Sugar Sauce. Absolutely YUMMY!

Well - let's see how this goes. Back to work tomorrow - and tomorrow evening, putting a 2nd coat of paint on my daughter's bedroom wall. I LOVE painting and decorating, but putting pink over an obnoxiously bright yellow definitely takes two coats. Sleep tight.