Confession

I have always tried to be the BEST:

Mother
Wife
Employer
Friend
Daughter
Sister
Sister-in-Law
Daughter-in-Law
Adopted Mother
Person
and the list goes on and on

I've always prided myself as a super achiever.  One who could handle many things at a time and do the things that everyone has requested of me.

But for the past couple of years.......I've really started to fail.

I just have too many plates I'm juggling and slowly they are all crashing down around my head. 

Nothing in my life is organized or finished.

My house is a wreck.

My work to do list is a 1000 items long and things are way behind.

We have a large list of things that need to be repaired, fixed, or upgraded at our house and our business.

I can't do it anymore. 

I'm exhausted.

I'm unhappy with myself because there are so many things out of control in my life.

I need to find myself again.  Somewhere in the midst of all this hustle and bustle......I lost myself.

Don't worry.........I'm in here somewhere.  I just needed this tiny pity party to get the fire burning inside myself again.

Lucky for me......

.....that I was only crabby 1/2 a day yesterday and that today is a new beginning.

.....that I have a wonderful husband who works so hard so that I can work from my house

.....that I have 2 great "kids" who I have a great relationship with

.....that we have a successful business that allows us to work together

.....that I have a weird sister who cracks me up with her crazy texts

.....that I had a mom and dad who raised me to live right and decent

.....that I have MORE than enough things to do today so that I don't even have a chance to get bored

.....that I am me

Time to get started on this busy day!

Red is the color of the day

I think today is not a good day for anyone to mess around with me.

For some reason, it's one of those days where even the stupidest little things just irritate the crap out of you.

So I apologize in advance to anyone who has to deal with me and I'm rude to you.  It's not my fault.  It's because of my hormones.

So leave me alone.

P.S.  On a good note, that cut up tree that didn't even belong to us that got thrown into our yard by the electric company.  Well I only had to make 2 phone calls and have 2 different guys come out here and it finally got resolved.  The tree company showed up this morning at 7:45 (without us having any idea they were coming and we were both sitting around in our sleeping attire).  But they did take all that tree mess out of our yard.  Hallelujah!

It only took 3 1/2 years....but we're going to make it

Hmmmmm.......what am I talking about?

Going to Memphis of course!  Back in January, 2010 I made  THIS POST about what we would do if we went to Memphis.  So I looked back on it to see if much has changed.

I really didn't have a lot of destinations on it back then......but we have created a bigger list since.

Now since we are actually going to be headed in that direction next weekend......we are starting to make our plans. 

As of this date, we still don't know if we are driving or flying....that decision will be made next Monday when they post last minute fares.  If we drive......we'll have an exciting 9 hour road trip to get there.  I know that will be fun!

The hotels have been picked out.  We're staying two nights downtown near all the action and one night a little farther out (we got that night free).   The hotel downtown is a rennovated warehouse right on the trolley line and very close to where we will be attending the concert.  It's also close to Beale Street so that we don't have to drink and drive.....just drink and ride :-)

But before all the final preparations for the trip can get done......I have work that needs done.  It's always so freaking stressful to take a trip.  Along with all the vacation planning....you have to look at all the stuff that needs to be covered while we are gone.

Please let me win the lottery on Saturday.......then the only plans I will be making is how I'm going to be spending that money.

Look out Memphis......here we come!

Eating German

Tried a new recipe last night.....German Skillet Dinner

We would rate it 2 thumbs up.  At first, the husband didn't think he liked it.  But by the end of the meal he declared that it was pretty good.

Of course, we'll be making it again sometime in the future -- although we've decided on a couple of things that we'd do differently (such as substituting hamburger for sausage).

But since you weren't here and couldn't see how heavenly it smelled as it simmered.....you'll just have to look at my pictures and be jealous.

 

Gathering all the necessary ingredients

Stacking it all up in the skillet as directed and getting ready for the long simmer

Here's it is all done and ready to eat

 

Here the recipe sits awaiting it's outcome. 

 If we liked it -- it will stay; if not -- in the trash it goes

The perfect ending to a yummy meal

Hey mom.....look what I can do!

I just created these calendars for all the families that order for school nights.

They are reminder cards with all the dates of their pizza nights so that they'll be sure to order.

I was just so proud of my creation......I just felt the need to share them.

I also got all my photos printed and in frames and put neatly across the mantle.

And.....I got that big ginormous vase decorated all "fall like" and displayed nicely on the stair landing.  Paul had brought home that giant vase filled with flowers a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to do something with that vase.  Looked at Pinterest and got a couple of ideas.....and here's the result. 

It was nice to be able to add a little creativeness to a normal boring work-filled weekend.

Ok....I know it wasn't as exhilerating for you as it is for me.....but hey - we all need to enjoy the simple things in life!

And now a word from our sponsor

We don't usually buy prepared meals because they are too high in calories, too much fat grams, and just plain crap.

But we went out on a limb when our grocery store had a Buy 1- get 1 Free coupon on these new Joe's Crab Shack skillet dinners.

So we took the plunge and bought a couple.

We tried the first one last night(Blackened Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo) and we have to say we were totally impressed.  Calories not bad; fat not bad; taste delicious.  Winner!

I was going to make my fabulous Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits to go with it.....but we didn't have enough milk on hand and I was NOT going to go out to the store.

 Next time we'll pair it with the Cheddar Bay Biscuits and a fresh salad.....and that will make it a complete meal! We have a Shrimp Linguine one waiting in the freezer to try.