Resting

If you've been reading here a while, you know that I have dealt with chronic abdominal pain for several years now.  On Thursday, I had yet another surgery for related problems... my 7th surgery over the last eight years. I am hopeful that this will be the very last surgery!

Right now, I'm resting, doing a little reading, and trying really hard not to do anything else... which is really hard!  Why is it that we moms have such a hard time letting others take care of us?  

In other news,  I'm trying the Bible in 90 Days reading plan again.  (Last fall I made it about 1/3 of the way through before I finally gave up.)  

Oh, and perhaps the most exciting news... our family is expecting a new member in about two weeks- a puppy!  We have been looking for a while now, and when a friend of a friend had a litter of Golden Retrievers (which I have always wanted), we decided that this was a perfect fit for our family.  We'll be bringing home our new little puppy as soon as she's weaned, which will be around the end of January.  Clearly I need to rest up and get ready for that! 

Your prayers for my healing and quickly regaining some energy would be appreciated!

Menu Plan 1/9 with points

DH and I have agreed that we both need to get back to eating better.  The holiday foods were wonderful, but the extra couple of pounds I picked up were not.  Time to start counting WW points+ again!

• MONDAY: new recipe from Pinterest: Skinnytaste Quick Skillet with Mushrooms and Onions  (might wrap this in tortillas-?)  (only 2 pts+ per serving) and tossed salad 
• TUESDAY:  broccoli & sausage crustless quiche (5pts+), toast (1pt+), fresh fruit (0)
• WEDNESDAY: new recipe: Skinnytaste Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup  (7pts+)  I'll have to leave out the chipotle adobo sauce for the kids, of course!
• THURSDAY: buffalo chicken salads (salads with grilled chicken tossed in buffalo sauce)
• FRIDAY:  family favorite meatloaf (7pts+), mashed potatoes (3pts+), green beans (0pts+)
• SATURDAY:  homemade pizza
  

..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links. You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.

5 Question Friday

1. What is the weather like where you are and do you like it?  The last few days here in southwestern Ohio have been crazy... sunny and in the low 50's.  We didn't wear coats yesterday or today.  This is unheard of-- we should be shivering and shoveling snow by now!

2. When you're sick what do you seek comfort from?    My warm electric blanket, hot soup, and mindless tv if I have to be awake.

3. What do you need to do before the end of the month?   Finish putting away the Christmas decorations.  :)

4. Have you ever served on a jury?  No, but I've been called four times now.  Each time I had to call in to see if I was needed each day, and I never had to go.

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?  An indoor cat, because they are typically pretty spoiled and get plenty of quiet time when they want it. 

..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links. You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.

Menu Plan Monday 1/2/12

Last week I was unexpectedly called in to work all week (state survey- nursing home) and worked long days, meaning that supper around here was whatever was quick and easy.  Since I hadn't gotten groceries yet (See also: I was supposed to be on vacation all week- arrrghhh!), that meant a lot of fast food and frozen pizza rolls. Between that and the previous week of rich holiday food, this week I'm really craving some simple "normal" food!

• SUNDAY: pork ribs and sauerkraut for DH... snacks (BLT bites, deviled eggs, my layered ranch taco dip) and my potato soup for the rest of us
• MONDAY: leftovers from the weekend or soup/sandwiches
• TUESDAY:  our favorite beef enchiladas (they include beef, corn, and beans), chips/salsa
• WEDNESDAY: broiled pork chops, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans 
  
• THURSDAY: frozen BBQ rib sandwiches, homemade baked fries, veggies
• FRIDAY: buffalo chicken salads (tossed salads with tomatoes, cheese, etc. and cooked chicken tossed in buffalo sauce)
  
• SATURDAY:  homemade pizza
  
  ..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links. You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.

CLEAR in 2012

2011 certainly went out with a bang in my world... December was a whirlwind!   Fun stuff, like family parties and Christmas at home.  Not-so-fun stuff, like everyone in this house being really sick, all at different times.  And really not- fun stuff, like having my vacation week at home with the kids cancelled because our state surveyors showed up at work... but, at least that had a happy ending: my nursing home was given a perfect rating! 

So, my plans for the first few days of January are pretty basic: get my house back in order, and get some sleep!  :)

For the last few years I have gone with the idea of choosing a word of the year.  I don't know where this idea originated, but I have seen it done on dozens of blogs.  Last year, my word was purpose.  I have to admit, by the end of the year, I didn't stick with that focus. The best word I've picked was in 2008, when simplify was my word.  It was much more useful, and I still try to keep it as a focus in my life-- in fact, I briefly considered using that word again this year.  

My word for 2012 came easily, as it's been bouncing around in my head for a good month or so now.  This year's word: CLEAR.  It has a lot of different meanings for me:   

• clear surfaces in my home: As always, I am fighting clutter in my home.  I've realized that the older I get, the more I enjoy clear surfaces with fewer knick-knacks and less clutter. 
• clear vision of how I spend my time: I'd like to be more aware of time, rather than suddenly realizing that I've spent two hours on Pinterest or that I'm running late for something yet again.
• clear up some medical issues:  This is actually at the top of my list.  I'm back to a state of chronic pain, so I'm sure there's more surgery coming up for me in the next few months.  I've been putting it off but it's getting to the point where I can't ignore it anymore. 

I do have one actual resolution, as well: this year I'm going to complete the Bible in 90 Days program (hosted by Mom's Toolbox).  I started it once last year and really tried, but life got in the way and I didn't get through the whole Bible.  I'm signed up for a new session that starts January 16th, and looking forward to it!


So, those are my goals in 2012.  What about you?



..................................... This post may contain sponsored reviews or affiliate links. You can read my policy here. I always provide my honest opinions.