Motherhood and Random Manipulation

Motherhood: This summer, my boys had 2 weeks of sleep-away camp.  One week in June, and one in July.  The second week, my friends daughters attended the camp at the same time.  She missed her girls so much, and thought about them, and worried about their health and safety.  She made me reflect on my mother role.  I am a craptastic mother!!  I know, I know, no one is super mom, we all have our faults, but DANG!  I did not worry about the boys, I missed them a wee little bit, but not enough for it to impact my day.  I did not worry about their health or safety, and the week went by hella fast.  I will admit that this is their 3rd year at this same camp, and I am familiar with the structure and such of the camp and the days they spend there, but STILL!!  I did not send any letters or emails (yes, the camps now have emails for campers!!) I just did not figure the boys would want to hear from me, or miss me that much.  At the end of camp, I got an email from Alex that asked me why i did not email.  Apparently the other boys told him that I did not love him. Boo.

Now I am trying to figure out ways to "care" more.  I thought i was a good caring mom... not a super fantastical super mom, but good enough.  I am not so sure at the moment.

Random Manipulation: *disclaimer: Local friends that read this.. this is not related to anyone in my immediate vicinity*
What do you do when people you know make up stories to make you feel bad for them?  I am feeling manipulated by  someone in my life, but I am not sure how to deal with it.  I just want to be me and live my life the best I can.  I feel like my life's ups and downs are being co-oped by someone else which makes every unique thing in my life feel cheap and un-special.  I need to figure out how to deal with this in a diplomatic manner, with out offending everyone and their aunts, while still maintaining those things which make me Susie.

Foodalicious Friday

Updated with recipes on 8/5/10

We have made a pact to not eat out for 90 days.  90.  So, I want to get back to posting my meal plans.. if you want any recipes, let me know!

Today was BBQ ribs, rolls and cauliflower but that ended up being hot dogs and tortilla chips.   Why, you ask?  Oh, it's because Adan charred the skids out of the ribs.  Lucy had come by and said. "Dad, the BBQ is steaming." He said something along the lines of, "yeah, yeah."  About 10 minutes later he goes out to the 'que and starts cursing.  Yup.. i don't think even the dog would eat that charcoal.

So, next week:

Saturday: Greek Chicken and Veggies
Greek Chicken and Vegetables

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups fresh or frozen cut green beans or 1 can of cut green beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
• 2 t. dried oregano leaves
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 4 sheets of aluminum foil approx 12x18"
• 1 pkg crumbled feta cheese

1. Cut chicken in stripes. Toss with beans, tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper.
2. Center 1/4 of mixture on each sheet of foil.
3. Bring up sides of foil to make packets; leave space for heat circulation.
4. Place packets on grill over medium hot heat. Grill 10-14 minutes or until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender crisp. Open foil packets; and sprinkle with cheese.

 

Sunday: Spinach Salad and rolls

Monday: Grilled chicken and mango salad

Tuesday: Fajitas, rice and beans

Wednesday: BBQ chicken packets and baked potatoes
BBQ Chicken Packets

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 sheets of foil - 12x18"
• 1 c. BBQ sauce
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1/2 c. chopped green pepper

1. Center 1 chicken breast on each sheet of foil. Spoon BBQ sauce over chicken. Top with vegetables.
2. Bring up foil sides to make a packet; leave room for heat circulation.
3. Place packets on grill of medium hot heat.  Grill for 12-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender.

Thursday: Cajun Sausage and beans
Cajun Sausage and Beans

• 1 lb turkey sausage, cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
• 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and onions
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 2 t. cajun seasoning
• 4 sheets of aluminum foil, 12x18"

1. Mix sausage, beans, tomatoes, green pepper and seasonings
2. Center 1/4 of the bean mixture on each sheet of foil
3. Bring up foil sides to make packets; leave room for heat circulation.
4. Grill packets over medium hot coals or until thoroughly heated.

Friday: Basil Chicken Packets and rolls
Basil Chicken Packets

• 4 chicken breasts - I use boneless skinless
• Heavy duty aluminum foil - 4 sheets approx. 12x18"
  
• 2 T. chopped parsley
• 2 t. grated lemon peel - I use fresh lemon zest
• 2 t. dry basil leaves - I use fresh chopped basil
• 1/2 t. each salt and pepper
• 2 medium yellow squash, sliced
• 1 medium red pepper, cut in rings

Center 1 chicken breast on each foil sheet. Mix parsley, lemon peel, basil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over chicken. Top with squash and red peppers.
Bring up sides of foil to make a packet.  Leave room for heat to circulate inside.
Place packets on grill over medium hot coals. Grill for 11-13 minutes or until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender.

Yes, the majority of these meals are grilled.  It's too hot for the oven and the stove.

A positive outlook

A positive outlook changes everything, right??

* We have groceries

* I have 2 cars, so we still have something to drive

* The dog survived

* Adan's grandmother did not pass away

* I have friends

* My parents are nice

* Eventually I will be able to return to school

* I have loyal Scentsy customers

* Diaper Decisions will not go fold

Iron on Wall "Vinyls"

I have always admired those cutesy wall sayings.
"Home, where your story begins"
"Splish, Splash, I was taking a bath"
You get the idea.

I really did not want to fork out $50+ to get fancy stick on wall sayings that I can't take with me when we move. Every tutorial I found online had to do with fancy cricut machines and vinyl sticky sheets. Stuff I don't have.

SO.... I found these instructions on how to do it yourself with out a fancy cricut.

Basically you use fabric to iron on your letters! I bonded the heatnbond to the fabric, cut out my letters, and then ironed them onto the wall. It was a pita getting them on the wall semi straight because the wall was not straight across... part of it was taller than others. I know.. that sounds like a lame excuse, but please consider that this house was built by the military.

And I am convinced i was holding the camera crooked when i took the picture. Yeah. That's it.

Operation New Board - Completed!

Remember the mission??

So... New board is done.  Thanks for the fabric input everyone. I ignored all your advice and went with the Revolutionary War toile because I will never ever ever use that fabric.  That fabric has been sitting alone and ignored in my fabric closet for 6 years.  Okay, not alone.  Sitting with 300 other cuts of fabric in the closet, but ignored by all of them.

I love it!!