I am a sprinter - no cross-country 'running' in my life.  Ever.  I start off doing something, go like gang-busters for a while... then blah.  I poop out.  Lose steam... and that my friends is where I am.

I am SICK. OF. BOXES!

I'm not sure why, but someone had the impression I was done w/ all 400 boxes.  Yes, you read that right - all 400 boxes.  Don't you just wish you were me?  No?  I don't blame you.

6 people,  2300 sq, 1 work shop, 1 - 2 car garage, 12 years, 1 funeral = 400 boxes of assorted, ahem, *crap*.

This is where we were when the movers piled us high w/ our 'treasures'. 

I worked like a mad woman for about a week.  And as of yesterday, this is where I am.

I feel good about life. 

Although I don't particularly 'like' the cedar chest that we are using as a coffee table (I honestly loathe the smell of cedar and every time I open it I gag), I feel uber good that its getting used (its always been something 'off to the side' in my life).  My great grandfather made it.  My Mom gave me 2 'thumbs-up' and I've  been toying w/ painting it.  Opinions?

And then I go to the 3rd garage and see this...

I think I am going to need a trainer for this.  Its going to take more energy than just a 'sprint' & I don't want it to take 3 yrs.

Oh dear.

Nutella.

Doesn't that say enough? Ahhh...

Nutella is the only concoction of chocolate (prob because its more hazelnut than choc flavored) that I like.  Yes, I do... there, I admit it.  There is ONE thing of chocolate that I like... and its name - Nutella.

That being said, today is World Nutella Day! 

In honor of this day, giving homage to the worthy food, I am going to make Nutella Waffles using My Cookbook Addiction's idea of just putting a few large dollops into the standard waffle mix.  Its simple and the people in my life will sing my praises!

1. Because they don't know we have any Nutella in the house.
2. Because I am going to use it on them. 

Although Nutellas delightful, I'm going to pass and not have any... I'm not done losing weight *yet* and I don't want to blow it, not even for Nutella.

So go forth, share the joy, eat some Nutella.  Its gonna be a great day.~G

Morning World,

Its Feb.  Wow!  Hard to believe, but its true... my January flew by w/ the move and now I am starting *starting* to feel like I am getting a routine.  A routine that this morning starts the youngest at school and there are barely any boxes left in the house so I can get back to focusing on what really matters - my family.  Ahhhh...

This month I am changing up my menu focus a bit.  Instead of just going into it willy-nilly, I have a rhyme and reason.  Really. 

Here is my plan -

Mondays are comfort foods (recipes my family adores). 
Tuesdays are breakfast dinners (they always are).
Wednesdays are some form of Mexican themed meals.
Thursdays are comfort foods again.
Fridays are crock pot meals (since I got the crock trio and now scratch my head wondering why I ever asked for 3 crock-pots in one... I have to learn to really use it).
Saturdays are leftovers.
Sundays are soup & sandwiches (makes it quick & easy for me, after church food, etc).

February 2010

Mon: 2.1 - Chicken Royale, veggies, jello
Tues: 2.2 - Bfast dinner: ham & cheese muffins, fruit
Wed: 2:3 - Taco salad
Thurs: 2.4 - Chili & cornbread
Fri: 2.5 - Crockpot: Beef stroganoff
Sat: 2.6 - Leftovers
Sun: 2.7 - Soup & sandwiches - blt's
Mon: 2.8 - Sausage sandwich squares
Tues: 2. 9 - Bfast dinner: steak & eggs
Wed: 2.10 - Tamales, grilled veggies
Thurs: 2. 11 - Spaghetti & meatballs, salad
Fri: 2. 12 - Crockpot: French dip sandwiches
Sat: 2. 13 - Leftovers
Sun: 2. 14 - Soup & sandwiches - Turkey melts
Mon: 2. 15 - Teriyaki beef, rice, veggies
Tues: 2. 16 - Bfast dinner: French toast
Wed: 2. 17 - Carnitas, homemade tortillas
Thurs: 2. 18 - Meatloaf, veggies
Fri: 2. 19 - Crockpot: Ham & potatoes
Sat: 2. 20 - Leftovers
Sun: 2. 21 - Soup & sandwiches: Grilled cheese w/ tomato soup
Mon: 2. 22 - Sesame chicken strips, mashed potatoes
Tues: 2. 23 - Bfast dinner: Waffles, bacon
Wed: 2. 24 - Chicken quesadillas
Thurs: 2. 25 - Country fried steak, glazed carrots
Fri: 2. 26 - Crockpot: Broccoli turkey supreme
Sat: 2. 27 - Leftovers
Sun: 2. 28 Soup & sandwiches - Pulled pork & veggie soup

5 days.

6 movers.

3 trucks.

400-ish boxes positioned around my house, garage, & shop.

3 kids (yes, our 2 oldest chose to come 'home' and make the move with us)

1 week without net access *boo - hiss*

2 newly installed appliances (dishwasher & frig).

2 appliances awaiting installation (micro & stove).

7 'I can't remember when I last slept this good' sleeps (so far).

2 - 3 minute drive from Costco.

1 good life.~G

a train this close to my room didn't wake me, not even once (as it went by on the hour.)  I am thankful for those earplugs though. 

Movers come in less than 3 hours to start packing up the house! 

They will be here 4 days.  2 days packing, 2 days loading the truck, then...

we are at the new house.

Its so weird just to have my house clean and not packed at this point.  So very, very weird!~G

Hello 2010!

I am back.  I am so back! 

I've been gone.  Not outside of my home, just gone in spirit.  I haven't known what to put in print and what to be left unsaid, so apparently I have left it completely unsaid, haven't I? 

2009 was such an emotional year for me.  Starting out w/ no job for my man, walking the journey with him as he found employment, being a single parent throughout the weeks (that have turned into 11 long months) of my family living in two locations, and coming to the end of the year - just waiting.  Waiting.  Waiting.  And waiting some more. 

Our house has been in the "pending sale" status for 2 months now, so we wait. 

Most of you know that the President issued incentives for first time buyers by way of tax credits.  What has happened is a massive back-log of homes waiting to be processed by lenders.  They are over-whelmed.  And so, we wait.  At the present time our "closing" date for this home, as well as the home we are purchasing is January 15th. 

The good news that came from our having to wait is - the President also issued incentives for buyers that have lived in their homes for 5 years or more!  We have lived in this home for 12 years and because of our having to wait, we now get tax credits for moving and purchasing this other home.  Super cool.

I have some other super-nifty-neato news, but that will wait.  Cause I'm back.  I'm not going anywhere.  I'm back for real this time.
___________________________________

If you have been with me for very long, you know I am a follower of Ali Edwards' One Little Word each year and this year is no different.

As I've been pondering my "word" for 2010 a few came to mind.  I suppose I've been trying to 'make' one of those my theme for the year, trying to hide from the one that has been heavy on my heart.  I've never struggled so hard for my word.  I know its going to be an incredible year as I -

Create

What a word.  I feel like I am on the cusp of so much creativity it makes my head spin!  A house to make into a home.  Friends yet to be met.  Places yet to be explored.  Ahhhh... create.  Yes, it fits.

Here is just a smidge of my creativity for today. 

One little word for -
2010: Create
2009 - Restore
2008 - Heal

I hope this finds you all well & looking forward to all that 2010 has in store for you.~G