Feverish Fumblings

As I'm trying to be in denial about being sick, I keep telling myself I'm just tired or that I slept funny, causing my head and shoulders to ache. Yep, that's why I'm stuffed up and feel my head explode everytime I bend over. I'm not usually a "denial" type of gal, but in this instance, it works. Sorta.

Today I had/have a day off. I'm spending it not by resting and taking care of myself, oh no, who has time for that? Nope, I'm on laundry load number three. Most are folded and now it's time to put away and remake the beds. Yes, I even stripped the beds. This fever stuff is making me delirious, apparently.

Tonight we have to finish up the girls Valentine's cards for their classes and neighbourhood friends. We don't "do" store bought here. I know-we're Valentine's snobs. After dinner and homework and baths and Valentine's, I plan on curling up in bed with a hot cup of green tea and a good book. I'd watch Survivor, but my husband isn't home and wants me to wait for him so we can watch together. Yeah, delayed gratification! Oh well, it's an excuse to actually get some rest. After 9pm that will be jusssst what I need.

Better get back to the grind. I hate remaking the beds. Boo hiss.

Sick In My Head, Sick In My Bed

So, last week I felt so tired it was inexcusable. Really, there was no real reason for it. I should have known then what I know now, and that is that the plague was about to hit me. I guess that's what you get for letting your coughing daughter use your cherry chapstick or for kissing said ill child to feel her warm forehead.

So, now it's me that has been struck. I feel awful, truly. I did a bunch of running around and got the errands done yesterday that I needed to do (my poor husband and his days "off.") Then, as soon as I sat for a moment, it whacked me on the head with a sledgehammer. I started the body aches, and the extreme headache. That was followed by the fatigue and finally by a fever that had me alternately sweating and freezing throughout the night. Greeeat. I felt so tired, but couldn't sleep because of feeling so darn crummy.

I can't lie around today and nap because I have a daycare child coming, but maybe while she naps I'll lie on the couch and moan and groan. That's the only time I have for it, and for feeling sorry for myself. Well, besides the venting I get to do here, to you lucky readers. After that, I have dinner to prepare and the girls have activities tonight.

I hate being sick. Can you tell?

Menu Planning

Since my menu for this week actually looks pretty awesome, and I managed to buy on sale, check out recipes and get all the ingredients I need without forgetting anything, I thought today's post would just be my menu planning for the week. Let's face it, I know you are all riveted to your seats about this kind of thing. I'm not even being facetious, here. As a Mom, I actually DO like looking at people's menu plans so that I get ideas for my own family.

It's Sunday today, (Superbowl Sunday at that) so before all the craziness starts, we are eating as a family, early. We're having a roasted boneless, skinless turkey breast served with scalloped potatoes and baby carrots, dressing and gravy even! I know, I'm nostalgic for Thanksgiving, apparently.

Monday is our swimming night, but this week I lucked out and don't have any daycare children coming, which means I get a day off! My husband is also off work, so we'll pick the girls up when school ends and again, eat early. I'm throwing a roast in the crockpot with pepperoncini peppers and beef broth, to later make some beef dip sandwiches for dinner, served with a side salad and some sweet potato fries. The recipe for that can be found here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/drip-beef-two-ways/

Tuesday we'll lighten it up a little and go with a broiled haddock with lemon, wild rice and steamed broccoli. It's another night of activity, but fish takes no time at all so I can have it done early. Again.

Wednesdays we're out to dance (I know, this is madness) so I have to get dinner on the table early once more. We'll have a baked ham, with roasted potatoes and butternut squash, and corn. This is my youngest daughters favourite meal, hands down. Both of my girls love ham, actually, Wilbur references aside.

Thursday is FINALLY a night where we have nowhere to be by 6pm (yeehaw), but strangely enough, it's usually the night we kind of have a hodge podge of leftovers. I'll make a salad and my youngest will likely have the ham again, while my oldest will likely have the beef dip again. I may actually throw a shrimp pasta together instead. Or a seafood gumbo. Who knows for this night. It's kind of a wild card! My point for this night is that I have options. Many, many options!

Friday we usually order in, but I'm making turkey hamburgers and a roasted veggie platter.

I'll tell you about the weekend plans a little later on because they are a little special. You know, that Valentine's thing and all.

Happy Eating, and Stay Tuned!

Worrier Me, Worrier You

I read your comments about the sleepover dilemma, and I also talked to friends both via email, facebook and in person. I think I can say, for the first time EVER, "I" am less of a worrier and protective in this situation than some of you! Yeah me! Of course, I'm knocking on wood because I can just see it now. The ONE time that I decide to loosen the apron strings and not be a hovering Mom, something will happen. No, I take it back. Everything, like my husband says, will be just fine.

We've decided to let her go. She'll go a bit late, in time for dinner and cupcakes and the movie. She'll sleepover. She'll hopefully have a blast. The Mom and Dad will both be there.

I feel fine with it, which is surprising for me actually. My daughter is ten, and very confident and strong. I think if she feels anything is "off," she'll call home. Actually, I've instructed her to do so at any time and we'll come get her.

There ya have it. Me. Growing up a little and letting go a little. Keep your fingers crossed!

Conundrum(and could you share your insights ASAP on this, people, please and thank you?)

I was just emailing a friend and was telling her my latest parenting dilemma and asking for her opinion and well, her parenting policy basically, on this issue. The brain wave struck me that I should bring it to my blog and ask all of you for your thoughts as well. Why not use the tools at my disposal, right? Not that I'm calling you guys "tools" or anything. 'Course not.

The only caveat is that I need an answer STAT. So, get those comments in quickly. Please. Pretty Please. HELP.

My oldest daughter was invited to a birthday party next Saturday night. I've been holding on to the invite since Monday. I need to RSVP by umm, tomorrow and I have yet to make up my mind. Yes, I'm waffling.

Here's the thing. I don't know this kid, nor her family, AT ALL. I've never met her, I've never met them. My daughter's school joined with another school in a new building and the birthday girl went to the "other" school that joined. Am I speaking Pig Latin? I feel like I'm confusing this issue even more for you. Anyways, hence why I don't know the kid or her family.

The birthday is for 4pm and it says pizza, cupcakes, movies and a sleepover. The parents were conscientious enough to write that if you want to just come to the party and movies that's fine too. (skip the sleepover part) My daughter REALLY wants to go, yet my other issue (and yes, I have many, in general) is that none of her friends are going or were invited. By friends, I mean the kids from her original school that I know and have met their parents. I guess my daughter has been hanging with these "new kids" and they've taken to her. What can I say? She IS my daughter. "The party don't start til I walk innnnnnnnn..."

I have to call these people and let them know soon. Frankly, I'm already breaking my own RSVP rules. My daughter is ten, and at the age where I'm sure she'd be fine, or know enough to call me to come get her if she wasn't. However, I still don't like just dropping my child off with a great unknown.

So, I'm putting it all in your hands. Your thoughts MAY sway my decision one way or the other. No pressure or anything, tools. I mean, peeps. But, um, could you get on it? I have a deadline to work around!

What would YOU do?

Terrific Tuesday!

Normally a Tuesday is not a day that gets me excited or anticipatory or well, anything really. It's just a day at the beginning of a week. Today, however, I'm feeling all sorts of productive, I've socialized the morning away, and I have plans for this evening. WOOHOO!

I went over to a friends this morning for a playdate with my two year old daycare child, and her two year old daughter. They played, we chatted. Another Mom came by and we all had lunch together. It's a nice break to the monotony of a normal weekly routine, and it's always good to have some adult conversation!

Before heading over, I threw together the ingredients for a "Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup", and set the crock pot. It'll be our dinner tonight, along with some whole wheat buns with a dab of melted goat cheese and fresh basil.

Just to add to the productivity of the day, I came home and FINALLY used up the eight bananas in my freezer, making two big banana bread loaves-one with pecans and one without nuts. (my kids do not like nuts of any shape or form) Amazingly, I still have about 6 more bananas in the freezer. (when will I learn???)

I'm off to Shred on Level 2 and then prepare snack for after Nap Time.

This evening, I'm going out to watch a movie with my girlfriends and eat yummy (healthy!) snacks and sip some white wine.

Really, that's a pretty perfect Tuesday in my world.

I Hate Being Left Hanging

We were told when we were moved, that we'd likely be here about two or three years and then we'd be moved again. I was more than happy to hear that, because my hope was that we'd be moved back "home" again at the end of that time frame.

Well, there have been some rumblings coming down the pipeline that we should hear about our next move in the March/April time frame. That would put us at almost 2.5 years living here, which again falls into our expectations. Whether we find out in March or April, I've already made it clear that my girls and I wouldn't be moving until the school year is over. Last time, we moved mid-year and it was difficult for all involved.

The problem is twofold. One, I hate ambiguity. I just don't do well without a plan. While we are hearing that we should be "ready," we aren't hearing anything concrete, like where or what! That means that my husband isn't sure what his position would be (though it would likely involve a promotion) and we haven't been told WHERE we might be moved. I told my husband that if they are telling him to be ready for that time, they must have some sort of plan outlined. Yes, it may not be definite yet, but I'm sure they have an Option A, B or C. Ummm, could they share that with us, please??? But, no. We're stuck in this holding pattern of "you'll know soon enough." Hello? Have they never dealt with the likes of anyone anal retentive before?

The second thing that is plaguing my thoughts is the location. On the one hand, I'd love to be moved back home. My friends and family are there. All that I know and love is there. On the other hand, it's crazy expensive there to buy a home. We'd be paying a good 100,000+ for what we have now. I've looked slightly outside the city, like 45 mins all around, and we could get a home for a bit less with a bit more yard, but do I really want to move back home to still be "that close" but not quite actually there? Is there any point in that, really? Though, again, the smaller town feeling does now appeal to me too. Sigh.

So, the other part of me kind of hopes it's somewhere more affordable. I looked at PEI and we could have a large home BEACHFRONT for what we'd pay home!!! Really??? It kind of makes it more appealing!

Here's the thing-I just want to know so that I can plan my life. I know from doing this once now, that no matter where we go or where we end up-we'll be fine. We're outgoing, we make friends easily, and we have each other. However, the list maker, analytical organizer in me would like a plan that I can check off and start putting into motion!

Trust me, you are going to be hearing more about this in future. A lot more. I hate being left hanging!!!