Planning

I am a planner. I love to plan. I love to plan menus and schedules and budgets.

I am terrible at following through with my plans.

Does that mean that I love the thrill of planning and then straying from the plan? Does it make me feel spontaneous or rebellious?

Or do I just lack self-discipline?

Menu Monday (err...Wednesday, as it were)

Sorry it's late. After a particularly incredible, but tiring, weekend with the TCC youth group in Gatlinburg, everything is happening a little slower this week. I went to the grocery store last night and had a LOT to buy. Thanks to store sales and coupons, I walked out paying $94 for $175 worth of groceries. This is a little more than I tend to spend in an average week, but they had lots of things on sale so I was able to stock up. I bought (6) 8-oz blocks of cheese to freeze. They were $1 each, so I had to. They also had pork on sale, so I stocked up. We needed some personal items, like razors, and even with coupons, you know how those can add up. All in all, I'd say I did alright.

OH, and BY THE WAY, I got up to the counter to check out and realized that I didn't have my debit card. Decided that I was fine because I knew I had enough cash. Once the pre-savings total started aproaching $150 though, I freaked out. Needless to say, I was one happy camper once my shoppers card was swiped and all the coupons were entered. I payed with cash and went on my way. This morning I found my debit card. In my purse. I had it all along and gave myself a little heart attack for nothing.

I know, I know...this post is called "Menu Monday" for a reason, so I'll get to it. Here's what we will be eating (or have already eaten) this week:

Monday: Turkey melt on sourdough with sharp white cheddar cheese. With corn chips and applesauce.

Tuesday: Whole wheat homemade pizza with Canadian Bacon. Many thanks to Trev for this meal - it was sooooo good!

Wednesday: Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Wings and Fries with some friends

Friday: Pulled Pork tacos

Saturday: Brunch - whole grain waffles, quiche, turkey bacon and fruit
Dinner - Cider-braised pork chops with steamed veggies

Sunday: Sandwiches and leftovers before the super bowl party at church.

Looks like it's going to be a tasty week!

OATMEAL

Sorry I don't have my menu Monday post up yet - but it will come. I do want to share with you my new morning obsession - oatmeal!

Keep in mind, I'm not talking instant-from-a-pack-loaded-with-preservatives-and-sugary-junk-oatmeal. I'm talking real, old fashioned rolled oats...Irish or otherwise. So here's how I've been making my oatmeal lately that has me drooling on my desk just thinking of it:

1/2 cup Irish rolled oats (regular Old Fashioned oats work fine too)
1 cup water or skim milk
1 T ground flax meal
1 T wheat germ
6-8 walnut halves, crushed
1/4 - 1/2 c frozen cherries (no sugar added)
1 T maple syrup

Cook oats in water according to package directions. Mix in ground flax meal, wheat germ, walnut halves, cherries and maple syrup. You can vary this recipe with many kinds of fruits or nuts...it's so filling and comforting, and I feel energized and alert all the way to lunchtime.

I'm so exicted to hear what you think about this recipe. I LOVE IT and I hope you will too. Happy Tuesday!

Menu Monday

Monday: Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup with sour-dough rolls. I replace the beer in the soup with one can of reduced-sodium chicken stock and it comes out perfect, everytime

Tuesday: Chicken pasta with onions and peppers, rosemary focaccia bread

Wednesday: Finishing off the pot of soup

Thursday: Grilled chicken and couscous with herb-roasted veggies

Friday - Sunday we are off on adventures and therefore, not eating at home...Makes this an easy week. I feel like my menus are pretty boring lately. I have a hard time since we eat at the church 2-3 times per week. I'm limited to meals that are fairly portable. Tell me, do you have a favorite recipe that is perfect for an on-the-go dinner?

On the other hand, I found some great pork recipes this weekend, so next week look for apple-glazed porkchops or mustard-crusted pork tenderloin, whichever happens to be on sale...

Happy Monday everyone!

How to Eat an Elephant :: Lesson One

Hold your nose, take a deep breath, and try not to throw up.

Menu Monday

It's not very exciting, but here's what we're eating this week:

Monday: Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina You have to try this - it's amazing! I baked it last night so we can eat it at church tonight before our activities begin. Right out of the oven with some fresh hot bread though, this stuff is irresistable!

Tuesday: Homemade Baked potato soup

Wednesday: Leftovers or Sandwiches (church night)

Thursday: Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup and Grilled Cheese sandwiches, probably

Friday: Homemade thin crust veggie pizza (unless I decide to do deep dish...mmmm...)

Saturday: Brunch with whole wheat pancakes, eggs, and fruit
Dinner will either be out or leftovers...I have coups for one of our favorite places in
Nashville, so I'm betting that it will be out.

Sunday: Chili and Baked Potatoes with TCC University Ministries
Dinner: Per the usual - Popcorn, Apples, and Cheese!

Okay, so now that it's on paper, it doesn't look so bad. I do need to look for some new recipes this week. Tell me, what have you cooked lately? Any good vegitarian dishes?

Not Nearly Enough...

I didn't accomplish nearly enough this weekend. I am sitting here in our freezing little house (because we're too cheap to turn up the heat) and I'm sad. Well, sort of. Not moping around sad, but a little scrunch my nose up in disappointment sad at not getting more done this weekend. I did rest though. And watch a movie with Trev. And brunch with Trev. And rearrange our room. And clean out the closet. And make an even bigger mess in the junk room. And clean the kitchen. Several times. And bake - several times. And go to Starbucks with Trev. And go to church. And sing on the worship team. And go to a University Ministries meeting. And make some Christmas exchanges. And do a little shopping, both grocery and otherwise. And cook dinner for tomorrow. And write a blog...

Maybe I'll have more success next weekend. :)

Just Wednesday

My boss writes his notes for me while on the eliptical each morning. You can imagine how fun it is to try and decipher them....

Nothing

Last night, we hung out on the couch and did NOTHING. If you know us at all, you know that we are on the go ALL.THE.TIME. Tuesday is our only free night during the week and last night we took full advantage - worked out, fixed dinner, skyped with Jenni, cleaned the kitchen, then sat down with our laptops, coffee (tea for me), and leftover birthday dessert, and just enjoyed being at home together. Of course, we were in bed by 9:30 because 5:21 a.m. this morning came way too quickly...

Look for more this week (hopefully) with pictures and stories about Trevor's big birthday weekend...

It's Been a Good Day

Today has been a good day.

Our alarm went off at 5:45. We got up and dressed and I took Trevor to meet the guys for a little pre-birthday golf outing. Meanwhile, I stopped by Starbucks on the way to the grocery store (got a free upgrade all because the Barista was pleasantly surprised that I gave a tip) and I was reminded why I love going to the grocery store at 7:00 on a Saturday morning. Everything is freshly stocked and besides a few employees here and there, I've got the place pretty much all to myself. I pulled out of the parking lot with groceries in tow by 7:40 and was home with groceries put away by just after eight. I quickly cleaned up the kitchen, which I'd been neglecting to do for a few evenings :\ and headed upstairs to print off some music and get myself showered and dressed in time for...

My first recording session with The Nashville Choir!! We recorded in the RCA/Victor studio on music row. The room was amazing - apparently a TON of film scores are recorded there. So I recorded all morning and had a blast!

I left the studio to pick up Trevor, who was freshly showered and shaven (and HANDSOME) after his golf game, and we went to the airport to pick up Kendra who is staying with us for a few days!! We got home and gave her the tour and played our guitars and now we're headed to Trevor's 30th Birthday Bash.

Can this day get better? I submit that it can....

Grow Up

I have to grow up.

I don’t want to, but I have to.

I want to rest on the assurance of things I’ve done already, things I’ve seen, things I know are safe, comfortable, easy.
I have to grow up.

I have to put childish things behind me. Laziness, procrastination, disorganization.

I don’t want to grow up.

I don’t want to, but I have to.

I have to grow up.

Bye Bye Bean

My best childhood chum is moving across the country in the opposite direction today.

We didn’t plan to end up so close together in the first place... just both happened to jump at opportunities east of the Mississippi after college.

I miss hear already which is strange and probably a bit inappropriate because we never saw each other, and I’m terrible about remembering to call, so we only talked on the phone a few times in the past four years. But it was nice to know that if I wanted to, or if I needed her, she was a measly two hours away. I’m kicking myself for not spending more time with her while we could. Wish we could have at least met for a Saturday or two every once in a while…

My heart is heavy in her absence, which is so utterly selfish because I couldn’t be more excited for her: Moving to THEE PERFECT city for her, her boy, and their dog; Living downtown in an unfathomably amazing location, with hundreds of new things to explore along every neighborhood street; Fantastic job opportunities await…

Maybe too my heart is realizing that now I’m all alone out here…realizing how exciting it would be to be moving back to a place where I could be a 15 minute walk from my BFF...or a 4 hour drive from my family..in case I wanted them to join me for dinner some Sunday afternoon...

I love you, Bean, and I'm so excited for the new things that await you. This muggy, ridiculous, wild mannered South will miss your glorious presence. Save a spot on the floor for us as we’ll have to visit you and Ashton SOON!

home is no longer my home

I started to title this post "home sweet home" but then I couldn't.

I'm sitting in the office at my Dad's house in Colorado, on a crisp, beautiful Summer Sunday morning, and having an absolutely smashing time visiting my family this weekend. Friday night we went to a Rockies game and watched our hometeam soundly defeat the Cubs. We played all day yesterday at our favorite Denver summer spot, Water World, and made the two and a half hour trek back to Yuma for dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant. After dinner we caught up with my favorite Yuma aunt, uncle and cousins, and chatted into the night/held a quick make-shift early birthday with my sweet mama.

After the day ended, I fell asleep next to my sister in a room that is not my own. There's been a little bit of shuffling around in the Campbell house, and my sister Kirsten now resides in what was my room (for one summer while I lived in this house after college). This change is certainly no problem for me at all because she's an almost 18 year old girl who needs her space and I'm glad she can use the room that I might have maybe stayed in once a year for the rest of my life.

What this change does represent, however, is how I've grown up and replaced my thoughts of home with a different place. While I will always say that Yuma is my home, ie: flying HOME for the weekend; going HOME for Christmas; as I began to title this blog "home sweet home," I realized that Yuma is not my HOME. My home is the little brick house in Nashville where Trevor will be waiting with open arms when I fly HOME on Monday.

My family will always represent my home of the past. One that I will cherish, and hope to visit often. But Trevor represents my home, both now and always, and I can't imagine it any other way.

Note to Self:

Buy this book

Friday Mornings

Who doesn't love Fridays? But mostly the afternoon/evening part when the work week ends and the weekend begins. However, for me, there is even something about Friday mornings that I love - how the air feels crisper and the sun shines more brightly. I love the view of the big tree outside my window or the pond just beyond the parking lot. All basking in the warm newness of the Friday morning sun. Okay, that's deep and silly, but really...I wish I had a camera so I could show you. Friday morning just.feels.perfect.

Also wonderful: The Krispy Kremes placed tauntingly in the kitchenette by my friend Kathleen. MMMM...can you beat a fresh Krispy Kreme? It's definitely worth the calories with my morning cup of Seattle's Best coffee with a touch of Italian Sweet Cream creamer.

On my desktop awaits a soon-to-be-finished analytical spread sheet of state convention offering info for my boss...gotta get to that. There's also the stack of mailing files that have to be filled with samples and put away, and then the blank files yet to be labeled. Other odds and ends await as I progress through the day, but right now, Friday morning makes everything seem bearable...even pleasant. I love Friday mornings!

Making Progress

We started this morning at 8:00. We finished *almost* this evening at 9:00. About a quarter of the living room (including the bay window) has yet to be completed, but we're so close. And tired. We are so close and so tired. Here are some pictures of the living room phase
Before:

Before: (stay tuned for the fireplace makeover next)

Getting closer...

I over budgeted a little for the floors, so we had some extra to buy a rug for the living room. Trevor likes the one I picked...and he is so tired from all his hard work!

Well friends, I am about to fall asleep as I type. Tomorrow comes early with church worship department rehearsal at 8:20. Hopefully we'll get a chance to work on finishing things up, but since Trev worked so hard today, I'm not going to press my luck. Whatever strength he can muster for tomorrow will be fine with me.

Needing Advice

You may remember my recent battle with the cosmetic aisle and the makeup meltdown that occurred shortly thereafter. Hoping to avoid another such mishap, I'm soliciting advice from all of you, my (3) loyal readers :) I'm in the market for a good sunless tanning lotion. Nothing too heavily scented, and definitely heavy on the moisturizing power...any suggestions? I am currently using Jergen's Natural Glow, with which I am moderately satisfied. I'd like to spend some time in the tanning bed and get good and dark, but alas, I hear that's terrible for my skin and will leave me looking like the witch in Snow White by the time I'm 30. I'm sure my years as a lifeguard at the Yuma pool didn't help much either. Speaking of the Yuma pool - Bean, do you remember all of our goggled underwater shenanigans? I'm CRACKING up right now as I think of it...but I should save it for another post...

Self-tanner suggestions anyone?

I Notice Things

Just some random thoughts from this morning. And it's not even noon. *sigh*

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So you know when you’re at work and someone says: “Before I bother someone important, I think I’ll ask you.” Awesome.

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I really like confetti. I like to let it fall through my fingers. I often make spiral bound books here at work and think the little rectangular hole punch leftovers would make perfect confetti. Thus, I often ask myself why I don’t save such punches in a shoe box and use them at birthdays and in presents. And then I remember: confetti is only fun for the half-second it spills out of an envelope or floats in the air. After that it’s just irritating.

Lovely

I love driving through the Tennessee countryside. It is officially beautiful here. Granted, in Winter everything looks like a tangled mess of sticks, but Spring, Summer, and Fall are simply lovely.

Trevor is working the TNU Alumni Golf Tournament this weekend at Henry Horton State Park, about an hour south of Nashville. He headed down last night to set up and will be there through Friday. Since I’m pretty much a chicken and didn’t feel like staying the night by myself, I drove down yesterday evening to stay with him. If nothing more, it was worth the trip simply for the drive. As the light streaked in oranges and yellows across the sky, I looked out over the lush, green landscape and thanked the Lord for His creation, and for giving me time away from everyday life to bask in its beauty. I know now why people don’t mind commuting an hour back into Nashville for work. I got to see it all again on my way in this morning.

I guess I’ve always pictured myself living where we do now, right in the middle of everything…but after my little getaway, I think country living might be something worth considering. Then again, maybe it’s just nice to take time away to visit…
Here are some pictures (not that I took) to give you an idea of the landscape we enjoy here in TN.

Tribe Pride

My mom has tribe pride. And a little YouTube fame to go along with it. This is her singing the anthem of Yuma Middle School - trying to motivate her kids to sing along. Not sure she had any takers...

You're welcome, mom. <3