What's for Dinner - February 1, 2010

Monday
~take meal to family~
Cheesy Chicken & Rice
salad
bread
Pumpkin Dessert

~Marvelous Monday~
~gymnastics~
Curry Shrimp
Rice
Zucchini
Pumpkin Dessert

Tuesday
TexMex BBQ Turkey Wraps
green salad

Wednesday
~Everbody Pitch-In 4 Dinner~
~Kids Club / Bible Study~
Vegetarian Chili

Thursday
~CIA Meeting~
Refrigerator Smorgasbord

Friday
~PTA Popcorn~
~Home Group~
mini pepperoni pizza
green salad

Saturday
~attend Bridal Shower~
???


Sunday
~Super Bowl~
sauced meatballs
brownies

Need some ideas for dinner? Check out all the meal plans posted at Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Friday Fave Five

Friday's Fave Five is hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

Here is how Susanne describes it...

It's a place to come on Friday's and think back over your week and just post about 5 favorite things from your week. It can be anything that tickled your fancy over the week. Favorite quotes, posts, happenings, scriptures, recipes, pictures, great internet finds, etc., etc.

1. QBs - gathering with my group of quilting friends for our monthly meeting... getting to see some quilts we made back when we made quilts... being able to help friends who aren't so good with their computers and things digital.

2. Dark Tort, another Goldy Baer mystery- One of my guilty pleasures is listening to mystery books. I don't like reading them. Barbara Rosenblatt has read all of the Diane Mott Davidson's caterer crime-solver series. She does a great job with the voices and the characters are like old friends. I listen to them when I'm alone in my car. If you ever see me sitting in my car and can't figure out why I'm not getting out, it's probably because I'm at a good part.

3. Water War Wednesday - It's a silly competition I participate in with some of the gals at the Medifast community boards. I drink water like crazy all day and report back to them how much. Last Wednesday, I was the winner. I drank over 200 ounces - if you don't want to do the math that's 25 cups! I had to get up twice during the night. I usually don't have to get up at all.

4. Laundry - or actually the lack of laundry. Surferman has been doing the laundry. WOO HOO! for Surferman. He's not so good at matching socks (I don't think I've every blogged about how much I hate wearing socks that don't match) and everything ends up on a hanger, but I'd rather fix the laundry than do the laundry any day.

5. Tobi - My good friend Tobi is heeding the call of the Lord and moving to Greenwich, London to help with a church plant. I have the privilege of being a part of her Care Team. I met tonight with a lovely group of ladies who love the Lord (and Tobi). We talked about her move and how we can support and help her. I helped her design her info card this week. It was a really cool experience. As I was working, everything just came together so easily. The font we chose was even called London. God is so good. Pray for Tobi. She plans to leave in April and has some details and loose ends to attend to.

What were your favorite things this week?

Can I get 12 comments?

originally posted at my Medifast blog

Week 12 has come to an end.

I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of tea and a cup of "ice cream". Life is good!

I've been thinking about writing this week's update all day. I don't feel like I have a lot to say.

I lost 2.8 pounds today for a total of 51.2 pounds.

I added another bead to my bracelet today in celebration of 50 pounds of weight loss. It's great to earn rewards.

I found out this week that water is really important. We traveled last weekend and I didn't drink nearly as much water as I should have. My weekend weights (for challenges on the boards) were sorely affected (or should that be effected... I'm not sure).

I'm also realizing that it's time to step up the exercise. Hey, who am I kidding... it's time to start the exercise! I've done a little bit of Wii, but not enough to take it past "fun" to "fun and exercise". I'm challenging myself to additional activity everyday this week. Anybody want to go for a walk?

My discovery of the week: It's easiest to keep it simple. I make a bunch of the same stuff and keep eating it until it is gone. This week I'm still stuck on caulifower. I mix it with some cottage cheese and parmesan. I haven't made Surferman try it so I don't know if it's enjoyable in general or just to my dieting taste buds.

Until next week...
Less Robin

Random Dozen - 1/27/10

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?
nope. I'm not good at waiting for things I want. I want them now.

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?
Usually it's chocolate, but lately it's been bread. I've resisted though.

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?
I used to joke that God gave me the gift of patience. I persevere. Maybe an 8?

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?
Who hasn't? What's important is how I deal with the disappointment.

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?
Whenever possible as long it's not to the detriment of whatever the shortcut would involve.

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?
The 10 item or less lane when the person in front of me has 10 items or more.

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?
Nope. No way. Why would we wait?

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?
Way more patient with the elderly.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?
When my sister and I were younger (maybe jr high), we decided together that we'd open one of our Christmas presents. We chose one from family friends. We carefully opened our gifts so we could rewrap them and found these strange wallet-purse things that neither of us would've wanted in a million years. It was very disappointing. We carefully rewrapped them and did our best to be surprised and gracious when we opened them on Christmas morning.

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?
I waited 29 years to get married and 37 years to have a baby. Both were hard waits.

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?
No doubt about it... me. Surferman is very impulsive and impatient.

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)
A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

I don't think I know the Rebecca St. James song. I'd have to go with Mr. Petty. Anticipation always makes me think of ketchup. Richard Marx always makes me think of 80's mullets. Tom Petty brings back fond memories from college.

Mulligan please...

On Sunday I posted my Friday Fave Five for last week.

I guess I shouldn't write after long road trips because I managed to forget a bunch of my truly favorite things from last week. All way better than my Chuck sneakers!

Surferman and I had an overnight away together! What could be better than that?

Here's what should've been included...

1. A beautiful and plush room at the Cambria Pines Lodge complete with fireplaces, jet tub and anything we could need or want. Our stay was a gift for my birthday... a very generous and welcome gift.


2. The excitement and uncertainty of a power outage. We had power until early the next morning. We didn't have a lot of candles, but wouldn't that have been even more romantic?

3. Our stay included dinner (I had a juicy and on plan filet mignon and steamed broccoli). It was delicious. We expected breakfast the next morning, but due to the power outage I thought we'd miss out... well Surferman would miss out. I was wrong. We had a nice candlelight breakfast before we drove home and I was off to work.

Since I really like my Chucks, I guess I had 8 favorites last week.

We took some silly pictures... actually I took them and Surferman was gracious enough to pose for me so you could see our beautiful accomodations.

Surferman was really tired from the super long drive.



He had a little trouble getting comfortable on the short sofa.



so he moved to the bed.



Here's his GQ pose by the fireplace.



The tub was plenty long, but



he got thirsty before



practicing for his American Idol audition.



His crime scene photo.
I think he was trying to decide if he wanted to risk turning on the TV.
He decided against it. Smart man.

I hope you can tell we had a great time.

gratitude community - january 25

160. Christmas celebrations with extended family. It's great to see my cousins.

161. Not having to sit at the Kid Table anymore.



162. A new generation at the Kid Table.







163. Kids enjoying yummy and beautiful cupcakes.





164. Watching my nieces play with the big kids like big kids.

165. Play, play, playing without conflict and fighting.



166. Great-grandma and the big boys.

167. My big boy smiling normal... well mostly.



168. All the cousin cousins on one couch with Mimi.



169. My sister and her beautiful family.

170. Mimi - mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, bridge player, baker, friend.



170. Adults who know the right way to communicate with kids.



171. Kids listening intently at the Kid Meeting. They are getting ready to clean up the toys that were strewn ALL over the house. Everything was cleaned up with team work in record time.



172. Pajamas and presents.



Can you believe the gifts from my Heavenly Father? Consider joining the Gratitude Community! Just jump in with your own counting! What are you thankful for this week?

How to begin your own 1000 Gift List ::: How Gratitude Can Change your Life

Daybook January 25, 2010

FOR TODAY... Monday January 25, 2010

Outside my window... a big green monster. Seriously... it's dark again.

I am thinking... about teeth. I'm helping at Grom's school tomorrow during the dental screening. I also need to get Grom to a dentist. He went once when he was 3 but he wouldn't open his mouth. He brushes well, so it hasn't been a high priority. It's time now. The dentist should look at them before they start falling out.

I am hearing... the fan on my space heater whirling gently. Our house is cold, but now my studio is toasty warm.

I am thankful for... dill pickles. Low calorie and very satisfying. Helpful when you think about food a lot.

I am wearing... black capris, red 3/4 tee shirt, black socks and trainers. I changed after dinner before doing a little exercise with the Wii.

I am remembering... that Surferman and I need to sit down with a calendar and get some plans firmed up.

I am going... to get a lot done tomorrow. (A girl can hope).

I am reading... same books as last week.

I am hoping... my studio will be clean and organized by Sunday. It's time.

On my mind... food. I'm not hungry. I'm just thinking about food a lot.

From the learning rooms... We've been slacking with reading. Need to step it up this week. It's also time to pick a new topic, or we might start The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It's Q week at school. Can you think of any Q words that can be drawn?

Noticing that... my jackets are fitting looser across my tummy. It's about the only way I've noticed that I've lost weight.

Pondering these words...

The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless. Billy Graham

From the kitchen... I bought 3 heads of cauliflower. They were $.98 each at Foods for Less. Whatever we're having, it'll probably be served with cauliflower.

Around the house... crazy dancing with my Mom. I got Just Dance for the Wii.

One of my favorite things... shopping for earrings on Etsy. Especially from Meredith Fenwick.

A picture to share...
A mushroom farmer at Farmers Market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The Lions Mane mushrooms were very interesting. They looked soft and fuzzy.

Read other Daybook's at Peggy's Blog, The Simple Woman.

Another 101 Things to Do

I'm a list maker. It's how I get things done and organize my thoughts. I came across this idea of making a list of 101 things that you want to do. The challenge is to complete the list in about 1001 days. I don't know where I first heard about this idea, but here is a site that keeps track of participants and their lists. This is my second attempt. Last go around I completed about 40% of my list.

My start date is Sunday January 24, 2010
My finish date is Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

My 101 Things To Do
(items carried from my previous list in bold)
1. Read the Bible in a year
2. Memorize a specific passage of scripture
3. Memorize a specific passage of scripture
4. Memorize 6 Bible verses every Christian should know
5. Prayer journal daily for 30 days
6. Read Top 10 Most Popular Christian Books
7. Read 3 Biographies / Autobiographies of Missionaries
8. Read The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe with Grom
9. Do something to help a kid in Foster Care
10. Do something else to help a kid in Foster Care
11. Decide about cremation vs burial
12. Travel to Ireland with Surferman
13. Visit Jennie in Massachusetts
14. Visit Shoreline Calvary London Greenwich
15. Take Grom to Hawaii
16. Visit San Diego
17. Visit Pasadena
18. Family Mission Trip
19. Take a cruise

20. VanderWal Family Reunion

21. Take a Surf Trip
22. See the Aurora Borealis
23. Renew Passports
24.
Get passport for Grom

25. Finish "Color Block" quilt
26. Finish "VW Bus" quilt
27. Finish Grom's First Year scrapbook
28. Participate and complete a quilt-a-long
29.
Do something creative with the enlarged photo of Grom when he was a baby

30. Make felt baby booties
31. Make headband
32. Celebrate a Christmas with all homemade gifts
33. Learn how to crochet
34. Knit a sweater
35. Crochet myself 3 beanies
36. Sell something on Etsy
37. Buy something for me at Old Navy
38. Call Mimi once a week for 6 months - after that it should be habit
39. Call Mom & Bob once a week for 6 months - same idea
40. (within reason and safety) Don't say "no" to Grom for a day
41. Do something specific to bless Surferman everyday for a month
42. Go puddle jumping with Grom
43. Go body boarding with Surferman and Grom
44. Learn how to surf
45. Set up 5 Fat Files
46. Finally and completely manage our "papers"
47. Pay off the house
48. Make a will
49.
Get rid of our HELOC

50. Declutter 1001 things - paper and garbage don't count
51.
Complete Family Mission Statement

52.
Design and Frame Family Mission Statement

53. Establish laundry routine and work it for 2 months
54. Complete Organizing Challenge (February 2010)
55.
Paint our bedroom

56. New floors in our bedroom
57. New curtains in our bedroom
58. One month without eating out
59. Find a letterbox
60. Customize my blog template (myself)
61. Blog daily, 365 days in a row
62. Project 365
63. Save for a digital SLR and learn how to really use it
64. Take a self portrait every day for a year
65.
65 subscribers to My pursuit of...

66. Go a whole day unplugged - no computer, no music, no news, etc.
67. Plant a lettuce garden
68. Plant a herb garden
69.
Revive my African Violets

70.
Give away my African Violets -except the one in the orange pot (of course)

71.
Get a facial

72. Nap in a hammock
73. Go to bed before 10pm everyday for a month
74. Get up by 5:30am everyday for a month
75. Pierce my tragus
76. Donate blood
77. Go to a Dodger game
78.
Watch "The Office"

79. Teach Grom how to ride a bike
80. Learn 100 new words to increase my vocabulary81. Track food (every single bite) at MyMedifast for 30 days
82. Floss everyday for a month
83. Determine my Wii Fit age
84. Take 10 years off my Wii Fit age
85. Get Wii Fit age to at least 5 years less than my current age
86. Weigh 300
87. Weigh 250
88. Weigh 200
89. Weigh 165
90. Exercise at least 3 times a week for a month.
91. Exercise 5 times a week for a year.
92. Take a Hawaiian Dance class
93. Complete the Rock to Pier Run / Walk
94. Climb Bishop's Peak
95. Walk on the beach once a week all summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
96. Go to lunch or coffee with someone who scares me
97. Watch all the movies "based on a Jane Austen novel"
98. Say no to something that I'd usually say yes to
99. Say yes to something that I'd usually say no to
100. Sleep under the stars
101. Write another 101 Things to do list

Watch for updates as I cross things off my list.

Friday Fave Five

1. A different Chuck... my Chuck Taylor One Stars. I love them. They are comfortable, stylish and take me back to my youth. I wish I could remember exactly when I wore them, but I suspect it was the same period of time that I sometimes tinted my hair pink and blue. (Of course it was temporary color... I've always been a chicken). They were a steal at Target. Surferman has a pair too, so I have to make sure he's not wearing his when we go out.


2. Rain! It rained all week. Hail, lightening and thunder too! I love it. Our hills are greening up and sometimes it feels like we should start building an ark.

3. Buddy Time with Grom - Surferman started it. He lies down with Grom. They cuddle and tell stories. I wish I could say that I take my turn putting Grom to bed, but I don't. I always have something I want to do. This week, Grom picked Mommy for some Buddy Time. It was nice having that sweet time with my sweet boy. I think I'll be taking more turns.

4. Getting to wear my orange raincoat... alot! See # 2.

5. Good Earth Tea - If you've had it you'll know what I'm talking about... it's spice and sweet and warmth and comfort all wrapped into one lovely cup of tea. If you haven't had it, you should.

Friday's Fave Five is hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

photo credits
2.Umbrella by Joe Shlabotnik
3.With Love... by suchitra prints
5. Tea for Two by by naama