October's Menu

Boo!!! 

Yep, it's that month 

- October !!!!

September Menu Plan 2014

I guess it's better late then never, huh? Presenting my menu plan for the month of September.   Sometime between the girls first day of school and my first day back to school  my life caught up with me, causing me to fall behind. 

But needless to say, it's posted and I feel pretty good about it(insert fist pumping)!!!

 Yea me!

Click Menu to view!

Sisters!

Siblings always amaze me... Particularly sisters...   They fight, squabble, pull hair, claw - some of  us punch.  They cry, scream, lie for each other,  borrow each others clothes and even  try to mother.  But in a blink of an eye, they will put their differences aside and come to the aid of one another when someone out of the family circle intrudes or over steps boundaries.  Well, at least that's how we rolled in my family.  We could be beating the crap out of each other, but when an outsider(non-blood related person) popped off , we'd puff up and be like, "what did you say to/about my sister, or even brother".  Hehehehehe!!  There was this loyalty that was ingrained in us.  Ahhh, the good ole days.

Today I had a chance to see something that happens, but doesn't happen as often as I would like.  So when my girls, Parker and Dru play - they play hard together.  They get along well,  there's camaraderie, they help each other out, they're kind, - there's a special sisterly bond.  Granted this behavior is not apparent to either one of them at this age, but as a mother, I see it.  It's such a great feeling for this momma's heart. I don't get to see this too often, but when I do,  I do my a victory dance inside my head!! I scream SCORE I did do something right!!! I did do something RIGHT!!! Hahahah!!!  Maybe they'll be best friends one day, or even just good friends.  Hey, I'm being realistic!   It was such a great feeling, because as hard as they play and get along, OH my GOD  when these girls don't get along, it's like watching two female pit bulls going for each other's throats in a fight club match to the death!!! No lie!!!  So today I am feeling VICTORY!!  Ask me in a few hours, hahahha, but for now I am savoring the VICTORY!!!  Sisters will be Sisters. 

Music Interpretation of a 9 year old.

Today after piano lessons we're driving home and a song comes on the radio.  One of the many, many favorites of mine,  a classic I would say - Let's Just Kiss and Say Goodbye.  So the singer is talking through the first portion of it, and I start singing.  I look in the rear view mirror and see that Parker has this perplexed look on her face.

Me:  Parker what's the funny look on your face for?

Parker:  I'm a little confused... this is such a sad song.

Me:  Oh yeah???

Parker:  How can you sing this song?  Momma, his wife died?

Me:  (laughing to myself/talking to myself)  Boy, She would be dead if her husband finds out what she's been doing!! LMAO... OMG...

I thought it was the funniest conversation I've had with my 9 year old in a while.

Innocence you gotta love it!!

Art is in the eye of the beholder, Right???

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?  So in the literal sense this means that the perception of beauty is subjective.  Therefore,  it's safe to assume that Art too, is in the eye of the beholder, right?? I am not Artsy Fartsy, and   I know nothing about Classic Artists, or Art History:  Neoclassical, Romanticism, Realism or Impressionism periods, etc. Actually, I know nothing that pertains to Art - I know Naaaaaaa-sing!!  And,  I am also HORRIBLE at Art interpretation, unfortunately I lack this skill. I think my eyes would go crossed,  if I attempted to try and figure out the meaning of an Artist's work.  These are just skills I do not have, nor do I have any desire to try and learn them!  Sorry just not me! Don't get me wrong, I'll go to an Art Gallery and admire artwork, but all the other stuffy, stuff - Not remotely interested in, LoL!!!  This does not mean I dislike Art.   I like Art, well some forms of it anyway - I do I do!!  But I am a simple woman, and I know what I like when I see it. 

For me it's such things as a mural painted in a seedy alley on the back of your local liquor store wall(if we were in California), a  graffitied, train car slowly moving along rusty railroad tracks, or a freshly, vibrant inked tattoo on virgin skin. These forms of Art just mesmerize me, I don't know or what it is, but I really enjoy it.  Maybe, it's because to me it represents a certain type of freedom.  Freedom of expression through an alternative means of display, maybe?? Sounds kinda silly, I know.  Maybe underneath it all,  I see rebellion or just plain going against the grain. People using  an unconventional method to display their art work. Or maybe, it's  Art work that most people would frown down on or see it as just "trashy".  Who knows?? For me, I just like it, which brings me to the purpose of this post.  I know, I can be long winded.   

One thing I like to do is  watch trains. I can watch them  pass by for hours. Just sit there, and like I said above, be  mesmerized by the graffiti.  So last weekend (I actually should have posted this last weekend), anyway Brian and I were driving home and saw some train cars that had been sitting on the railroad tracks for a few days.  On one of the cars a Santa Claus was painted on it,  so of course I had to stop and go check it out.  It was pretty cool, or at least I think so.  Anyway,  I just wanted to share some pics of the train cars I took this Summer here in Hutto, and some murals  I took pics of last Summer in Austin.  So if you ever get stopped on some railroad tracks, check out some of the graffiti. Some of these "taggers" if you want to call them that,  are quite talented Artists!  

August Menu Plan!

As I sat this morning in my quiet home sipping my coffee, everyone still snoring away, I found myself envisioning the upcoming 2014-2015 school year.  Though I am excited to get back to a regular routine,  the girls back to school and  me back to school, my anxiety level hit the roof!  Our normal routine as we know it,  will change up a wee bit.  Instead of taking all my classes during the day, I will add an evening class to the chaos of my life.  Of course not by choice, but by necessity.  It's unfortunate, but Temple College does not offer the class I need during the day at a convenient time for me.  Sooooo, I am forced to add a kink in an already full schedule.  Oh well, what do you do??  Carry on I say, carry on!!! What I did though, sitting there wheels grinding away, was Menu Plan! You say, Menu Plan? Yes, Menu Plan -  for the month!  Hahahaha!! We still need to eat, right??  Most people would eliminate something from their already full schedule - not me -  that's not really an option this semester!  Call me a glutton for punishment, crazy or just a dumb ass, but that's just what I did, I worked on a Menu Plan for the month of August.

Two things that make me crazier then anything, well  there are more things that make me crazy, but none the less #1  is "not knowing what to make for dinner," and of course #2 "grocery shopping".  So what I have learned is by having a Menu Plan,  it's makes my life  HELLA HELLA easy!  By menu planning,  I don't have to figure out on the fly what we're eating for dinner, and I don't wander around the grocery store aimlessly looking for something to make for dinner!  Also, it helps me set myself up for success - my friend Gina always says that "Set yourself up for success" and she is also the one I got the Menu Planning for the Month idea from - she will be so PROUD! Hahahahaha!!!!  I planned our monthly menu with the  idea that I can keep these in a binder and reference them for future Menu Planning - I'm quite EXCITED!  This brings my anxiety level down quite a bit!  Now, to handle other parts of my anxiety... De-cluttering, and Organization!  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Happy 9th Birthday Parker Parker One-Nine Crazy Hair Kimball!!

Happy Happy Birthday Day Parker!!

Dear Parker,

Wow I can't believe you are 9 years old!  It seems like just yesterday, we were taking you home from the hospital!  I admit out of my four children you are the most unique!  I should have known, the first few colicky weeks of your life, there would be special things in store for you or maybe more like in store for daddy, and I.  It is never a dull moment with you as a daughter!  Parker Parker One-Nine, you are my rough and tough tumble weed - you are a compact mass of muscle, shorter then most kids your age, yet you're solid as a rock. You are naturally reserved, cautious, and quiet, unless of course you are in your comfort zone, then you have a silly and free little spirit - rambunctious at times if I do have to  admit. Your love for animals, what can I say, that maybe we should be living on a farm where you will be in your natural element - though your Momma on the other hand, would be totally be out of hers! You have this way about yourself, more of a "march to the beat of your own drum" personality, which will benefit you in your later years(don't ever change that).    I love your beautiful,  big, brown, doe eyes, small button nose, and your thin little lips.  OMG, and that untamed thin, wispy hair - long, wavy, and brown,  on most days it can be found hanging in you face. Ohhhh that crazzzy hair of yours, it's the icing on the cake, it makes you, well YOU!  When I ask you if I can brush it, your typical response is "I like my hair this way".  I think to myself, Oh dear Lord, help me!   I absolutely adore you  for being just that, YOU!  Happy 9th Birthday Ragga-muffin!  I love you!
~Momma