Following Directions

Can you believe I got in trouble for not following directions? Me either! Last night, we decided to fix meatloaf for supper. Tanner loves meatloaf and was so excited. So I find this recipe in Better Homes and Gardens for mini loaves. It said divide the meat into four equal sections. So, I did and since they are mini meat loaves, I shaped them into mini loaves. Well, directions said, to form a 2 inch oval patty, (evidently, I didn't see that part) and bake for 15 minutes. I knew that it would take longer than 15 minutes. But thought, what the heck, here we go. Put it in the oven, baked for 20 minutes, checked and no where close to done. So we put them back in and after another 20 minutes, pull them back out, still not done. I then take a spatula and flattened them and throw them back in the oven for another 20 minutes. Perfect. It wasn't dry, great flavor, and Tanner did not eat it! He likes his Nesey's meatloaf better! So much for trying to make meatloaf. Ryan and I decided that we would fix it again, only not make mini loaves, just dump it in and bake it for an hour.
After supper, I went to the gym and came home to fix my bed. I ordered a feather-down mattress pad for our bed. It came in yesterday, and let me tell you, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my bed now. It is so soft and warm. So nice to wake up without my back hurting. I bet now that my back isn't hurting, that Ryan's will be. He said he didn't like our old bed, but I find him quit frequently in Tanner's bed sleeping nicely. He says it's because Tanner let's him play with his hair, I think he still likes that bed!!
Ryan put a picture on his blog that said he probably said something he shouldn't have. Well, I don't remember what was said, but he wasn't in trouble, but I wanted to show you a couple of other pics James took. We are so fortunate to have someone who takes such great pictures of us. I doubt we would be able to get this in a studio.

This picture I am going to blow up and have it in black and white and frame it in a black frame, I think. Haven't decided on the frame, but I really like the picture.

My knives needing sharpening

Oh my goodness!! Last night I started preparing the meat that I was fixing for fajitas. I like to trim a lot of the fat off, just because I don't like it. I'm telling you, I went through three knives to just trim the meat, then I went through another two hoping that one of them would be sharp just so I could slice the meat to get it in a pan. After 45 minutes, my arms were tired and I was frustrated since I didn't have a single sharp knife in my arsonal. Ugh!! You would think out of all the knives we have that somewhere, I would have a sharp one!! So Steph, I know I skipped on my arms yesterday morning, but I made it up last night!! I think that is karma coming back to bite me! So, if your arms are needing a good workout, I recommend trimming meat with DULL knives, it will do the job.

Magic bean Stalk

I just got home and since we are now wearing big girl panties, I went in and told Ella to use the potty. She sat down and said, "Mom, yeave me ayone and cose the door." Ok, I can respect a girls privacy. I step out to go check the mail. Open the mail and put my bills up and throw away the trash. Two minutes maybe. Go back to the bathroom just as Ella is saying "Mom, I need you." I walk in and find my daughter with her panties around her ankles, the bath mat in her hands with poop on it and a puzzled look on Ella's face. (She has a little potty that she sits on.) Anyway, I ask "Ella, honey, what are you doing?" She said "Mom, I was just tryin to make magic bean stalk grow" It took me a while, but finally realized she was going to use her poop to get magic beans for the bean stalk to grow. Yeah, she has watched the Mickey Mouse version of Jack and the Bean Stalk. I have no idea why she thought that a magic bean stalk would grow from poop!!

Back to a routine

It amazes me that it is so hard to get back into a routine after being gone away from it for a few days. Over the holidays, we had so much candy and food that at any point in time during the day, I always found myself heading over to the candy bowl or walking by a grabbing some sort of snack. Then we stayed up late a few nights or slept a little later a few mornings. We lounged in pj's most days. Those were nice times and days.
Now, we are back to reality and it is slapping me in the face. Wait, maybe that is Ryan slapping me in the face so I will quit slapping the snooze button. I don't know, but this morning I found myself standing in the shower with my eyes closed leaning against the shower wall wishing I was still in bed. We have been back at work for almost a week and I can't seem to get it together. I find myself looking for snacks or candy to eat and not really wanting to work. The kids are not ready to go to bed at their normal time, but when we have to get up early, they are slow and groggy.
We haven't made it back to our full routine, as Sunday and Monday, were spent with friends. Tuesday and last night were partially spent at the hospital. Ella and I stayed home yesterday morning since she was running fever. Nothing serious, just a little sore throat. Hopefully, next week, I will be able to get with it. I have been trying to get back to eating better, no snacking, not much candy. Start walking/running so I won't be so out of breath by the time I get to the top of the stairs at the courthouse. Getting the kids in bed on time, the house cleaned and laundry caught back up. Being on vacation was so much easier, but that is not reality. I hope everyone else is having an easier time!!