Menu Plan 1/13/13 - 1/19/13

Mr. Mamie will be out of town Monday - Wednesday, accompanying GolfDad to the University of Utah where he (GolfDad) will have some surgery on his elbow. That certainly affected this week's plan!

Sunday 1/13: Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake, green salad. Making this whith whole whet penne.

Monday 1/14: CrockPot Cube Steaks and Gravy, green salad (No Mr. Mamie; I have class).

Tuesday 1/15: Leftovers (No Mr. Mamie; I have an Association obligation).

Wednesday 1/16: Marie Callendar chicken pot pies from the freezer (Mr. Mamie should be back if everything goes well, although at an indeterminate time; I have class).

Thursday 1/17: Oven Tacos and toppings.

Friday 1/18: Grilled cheddarwurst dogs (if it's not too windy!) and oven fries (I will be getting a tooth prepped for a crown after school).

Saturday 1/19: CrockPot Bolognese sauce with whole wheat spaghetti, Italian cheese bread, green salad.

Yes, those are Keebler fudge-stripe cookies... we all have our weaknesses! There're sections of Clementines, blackberries, and raspberries in the main compartment and lemon yogurt in the third compartment.

I'll be feeding GolfDad's cats while he's gone, and driving Niece to school with me on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday so she can do a before-school computer lab thing, AND Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I won't be home 'til later in the evening, so I made sure to get lunch stuff ALL READY for the week! We usually each have one of these Ziploc bento-style boxes (or another similar container, we have several to choose from) with salad, fruit, yogurt, nuts, etc. in it, along with a hot entree - typically leftovers from the night before. I have access to microwaves at school to heat my food, but Mr. Mamie takes his hot food in a hot food thermos. He's been working IN the office almost daily for the last couple months, so he's needed a packed lunch every day as well.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Menu Plan 1/6/13 - 1/12/13

This is for the almost-two people who complained about my lack of menu plan posts!

Sunday 1/6: Breakfast for dinner - sour cream blueberry waffles, bacon, scrambled eggs.

Monday 1/7 (I have class): Crockpot teriyaki pork chops, Rice-a-Roni, green beans, green salad.

Tuesday 1/8 (I have an association [union] meeting): Tuna casserole from the freezer, green salad.

Wednesday 1/9 (I have class): Marie Calendar chicken pot pies from the freezer, green salad.

Thursday 1/10: CrockPot salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, green salad.

Friday 1/11: I will be traveling to Salt Lake for an association event and GrandmaT will be dog-sitting over at the Igor family's house while they travel for Nephew's all-star football. Mr. Mamie will be foraging the left-overs in the fridge, exploring the frozen options, or possibly going to Wendy's!

Saturday 1/12: Same as Friday.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Random Question Meme

From Sunday Stealing


1) What side of the heart do you draw first?

The right side.

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose?

Of course. I own multiple varsity letters in swimming and water polo.

3) What color is your razor?

Purple.

4) What is your blood-type?

A positive

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?

Mr. Mamie

6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you?

I really don't know.

7) How do you feel about carrots?

Excellent raw, good if not OVERcooked

8) How many chairs at the dining room table?

Anywhere from 3 - 8, depending.

9) Which is the best Spice Girl?

Ehhhhh…. Sporty?

10) Do you know what time it is?

11:42 a.m. MST

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince Theme Song?

Not a big fan of that show.

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?

Worry about the fact that I suddenly have to pee desperately!

13) What’s your favorite kind of gum?

Spearmint

14) All’s fair in love and war?

No!

15) Do you have a crush on anyone?

Nope

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning?

I think not, I am an ace at the Reader's Digest "Word Power," hahahaha!

17) Do you like to sleep?

Heck yes!

18) Do you know which US states don’t use Daylight Savings time?

Arizona for sure, and perhaps Indiana.

19) Do you know the words to the song Total Eclipse of the Heart?

Yes, sadly.

20) Do you want a bright yellow ‘06 mustang?

No, not in the least. However, I DO want a charcoal-gray Cooper Mini....

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Long time, no post...

 ...and this silly little meme is all I got:

Three names you go by, other than your given name:

Mamie, Teeeeeeeeeacher, Sweetie.

Three screen names you've had:

MamieUtah, Eeyore, OtterGirl.

Three things you like about yourself:

Brains, Loyalty, Humor.

Three things you don't like about yourself:

Laziness,  Procrastination,  Gluttony.

Three parts of your heritage:

English, German, French.

Three things you are wearing right now:

Black fleece pajama pants with colorful polka-dots, charcoal grey t-shirt, black fleece pullover top.

Three favorite bands/musical artists:

Sting, Indigo Girls, Hothouse Flowers [I don't even know any "modern" groups!]

Three favorite songs:

Anything by the three musical artists listed above.

Three things you want in a relationship:

Honesty, humor, security.

Three things about the preferred sex that appeal to you:

Intelligence, humor, stability.

Three of your favorite hobbies:

Reading, cooking, hiking.

Three things that scare you:

Not feeling secure, national economic collapse, scary noises in the night.

Three of your everyday essentials:

iPhone, Badger lip balm, ice water in my insulated Kleen Kanteen.

Three places you want to go on vacation:

Alaska, Scotland, Australia.

Three careers you have considered/are considering:

Teaching (currently), professional dog rescuer (someday), national park ranger (fantasy life).

Three things you want to do before you die:  

Visit my vacation destinations, learn to knit, get EVERYTHING in my life ORGANIZED!

Three things you want to do really badly right now:

Win the lottery, get a bunch of stuff organized, finish my tech class homework.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

New Tent

We recently got a new tent, and finally managed to set aside some time to plan a camping trip.  So we spent Sunday afternoon making sure all was well with the tent and basically getting our act together to be ready to take off on the first day of Fall Break this week (which is still three days away, boo).  Here are a few photos of tent prep in the front yard...

 

Getting it laid out in the grass.

 

Annnnnnnd it's UP! This is before putting the fly on over the top.

 

Tall enough for a six-footer.

 Some people are lazier than others.

 

Look Peanut, Copper's in... you can go in, too!

 

OK, doggies are in with Mom.

 

Yes Copper, we really are going to all sleep in here!

Presumably the next photos will be from the actual camping trip!

 

 

 

 

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Ten Things Tuesday

At the end of  Chili's Ten Things Tuesday she asked "what did YOU do today?" Well, here it is:

1. Ate an onion bagel in the car while driving the 5 miles to school. I just never feel like I have the time to eat breakfast at home.

2. Endured my "long" day at school in which my class has NO specials. At least I don't have any recess duty on Tuesdays - it helps that *I* am the one who makes the duty schedule for my grade, hahahaha!

3.  Taught four guided reading groups, which means that about half my class got small-group reading instruction today. We're trying to tighten up the schedule so that I can meet with five groups every day, but even after 39 days of school we're not quite "there" yet.

4. Worried about a friend and colleague who's out of school with the mono virus. Yuck! She's suffering physically from the illness and emotionally from being away from her classroom.

5.  Talked to my principal and the school counselor about a parent's emailed concerns and was validated that I have done everything possible to alleviate them. Whew!

6.  Pushed and pulled my class through a set of word problems using money that are so not developmentally appropriate. 90% of the time I *love* our math curriculum, but 10% of the time it drives me up the wall.

7.  Opened up two big boxes from Scholastic with our October book orders - LOVE getting those red and white boxes in the mail! This year's class has been fantastic with ordering online and earning lots of bonus points and extra book picks to add to our class library.

8.  Dealt with a million and one "tattles." Sigh. Least favorite aspect of teaching six-year-olds.

9. Spent two-and-a-half hours serving my colleagues as an elected Executive Board member of our local association. Which meant that I got home at 8:00 p.m. (after leaving home this morning at 7:20).

10. Crashed on the couch and caught up on blogs instead of doing my technology endorsement class homework that is due tomorrow. Now I've got a problem!

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Sunrise 10/8/12

House Rules

Right on... applies to the car, too!

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Menu Plan 10/7/12

 Dinner last Saturday night was at my favorite restaurant in Salt Lake City... SOOOOOO good! 

We were with Mr. and Mrs. SuperGeek and their cute baby and had a lovely time!

Nope, no plan for last week... we were out of town the weekend prior, with no time to plan or shop. THAT is why having a little stockpile of stuff in the freezer comes in so handy! We did get In 'N Out one night, which I picked up on my way home from class.

Back to routine - here's the plan for this week:

Sunday 10/7/12: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with fresh rosemary from the backyard, green salad, Cheddar Biscuits.

Monday 10/8 (I have class): CrockPot Pork Chops and Gravy, mashed potatoes (the scary kind from a box), green salad.

Tuesday 10/9 (I have association board meeting): Honey Hoisin Chicken (from the freezer) with egg noodles or rice, green salad, green beans.

Wednesday 10/10 (I have class): Easy Oven Pork Chops, green salad, Rice-a-Roni.

Thursday 10/11: Tostadas with chicken and black beans (from the freezer) topped with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream (for Mr. Mamie).

Friday 10/12: Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches (from the freezer), green salad.

Saturday 10/13: Chicken Tetrazini (this keeps getting bumped!).

And yes, you do see Rice-a-Roni and boxed mashed potatoes... it's survival when I have so many nights of class and meetings this year!

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Menu Plan 9/23/12

I don't have a lot to say tonight; my heart is heavy with grief for a friend and colleague who has suffered a terrible loss.  I do have a menu plan, but things may change as there are some uncertainties this week.  We are also planning to go north next weekend for a family event on Mr. Mamie's side.  We'll see what develops as the week progresses.

Sunday 9/23: Three-envelope roast with carrots and potatoes.

Monday 9/24 (I have class): Slow Cooker Italian Chicken with Birdseye brand "fresh steamers" rice and vegetables, green salad.

Tuesday 9/25: Beef and barley soup made with the leftover roast from Sunday, some kind of bread from the freezer, green salad.

Wednesday 9/26 (night off from tech class, yay): Sloppy Joes - I use the highly processed McCormick packet because that's what I grew up with and all other sloppy joes taste weird! I do like to mix in a 10 ounce bag of frozen corn. We'll have green salad also.

Thursday 9/27: Cajun Pork Chops, whole wheat couscous, green beans, green salad.

Friday 9/28: Dinner out while running errands, most likely.

Saturday 9/29: I have every intention of being at the original Red Iguana!

Sunday 9/30: On the road home, some probably something hideous. Sunday would have been my mom's 70th birthday. Since she's been gone I've done a "Mom Meal" on her birthday, but this year I had to do it a week early. NOTHING could beat my mom's pot roast and vegetables, and while mine is great, Mom's was... Mom's.

Have a good week, and hold you beloveds close.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Menu Plan 9/16/12

Another busy week!

Sunday 9/16: Chicken Tinga Tostadas with refried beans, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, etc. We have a peach-blueberry pie that we picked up at Veyo Pies on our way back from hiking with the doggies on Pine Valley Mountain today. These tostadas got bumped from another night last week when schedules changed. I went ahead and prepped everything and just put it in a Ziploc bag in the freezer, which made it handy this morning when we were headed out to the mountain!

Monday 9/17: Slow Cooker Taco Soup, green salad, tortilla chips (I have class).

Tuesday 9/18: Grilled Basil-Balsamic Pork Chops, some sort of rice, green salad (I have an association meeting).

Wednesday 9/19: Slow Cooker Garlic Honey Chicken (from the freezer), egg noodles, green salad (I have class).

Thursday 9/19: Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches on French rolls with Provolone cheese, green salad.

Friday 9/20: Best Burgers with Secret Sauce, Oven Fries using a mix of russet and sweet potatoes.

Saturday 9/21: Zesty BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (from the freezer), green beans, green salad. Bunco night for me! We eat like maniacs while we play, so just Mr. Mamie, GrandmaT and anyone who happens to be at our house will have the sandwiches.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Menu Plan 9/9/12

This last week was more "normal" in terms of schedule, but I still had class on two nights - which IS the normal for this school year!

Saturday we didn't up going to the Preparedness Expo and then having a fun mountain adventure with the doggies, as we intended. Instead, five school colleagues who are also in my technology endorsement program came over for the afternoon so that Mr. Mamie could teach us how to use Google SketchUp for a class assignment. Let's just say we didn't receive adequate (or any!) instruction in the actual class, so we needed tutoring! That meant Saturday morning was spent cleaning, making food, arranging the dining room to accommodate six people with laptops, setting up wireless access for guests, and moving our flat screen TV and setting it up so that Mr. Mamie could use it as a giant display monitor. A fun time was had by all, everyone got a good start on their projects, and the food was yummy! We had tortilla chips and Blender Salsa, Zesty BBQ Chicken  served as sliders on awesome pretzel rolls from Costco, and brownies. Being a nerd is so much easier when there's excellent noshables! Here's the only photographic evidence of our hard work:

Yes, this is what teachers do on a Saturday afternoon!

This coming week has the usual classes and homework, on top of teaching the 24 mini-peeps all day long.  Here's the menu:

Sunday 9/9: Navajo Tacos  with lettuce, cheese, tomato, sour cream, etc. I make them with 1 pound of browned ground beef combined with one can of Bush's chili beans.The beef/beans combo yields plenty to freeze for another meal. I had planned something else but had a craving for Navajo Tacos, so....

Monday 9/10 (class night): Teriyaki Pork Chops on the grill, Rice-a-Roni "fried rice," green salad (yes, I'll be stooping to Rice-a-Roni more often than usual over the next few months!).

Tuesday 9/11: Chicken Tinga Tostadas with with lettuce, cheese, tomato, sour cream, etc., Mom's Arroz Mexicano.

Wednesday 9/12 (class night): CrockPot Chicken and White Bean Chili, corn bread, green salad.

Thursday 9/13: Cheeseburger Pie (nostalgia meal for me!), green beans, green salad.

Friday 9/14: Cheddarwurst turned into pigs-in-a-blanket (Mr. Mamie's nostalgia meal request), Bush's baked beans, green salad. I'm going to try the Neely's recipe - it actually sounds really yummy!

Saturday 9/15: Leaving it open until we see what we're doing!

Sunday 9/16: Planning to have the Chicken Tetrazini that we didn't have last week with green salad.

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Monday Meme

I got this from Mrs. Chili, of course!


Why do you think so many people cheat? Fear, laziness, self-absorption.

Tell me what’s on your mind? Asking myself why I'm doing this instead of the house chores that NEED doing!

What are you looking forward to in the next three months? Making progress in my two endorsement courses, seeing my students start to become actual readers and writers, a visit to Mr. Mamie's cousins for a family event.

Have you ever worn the opposite sex’s clothing?   Regularly.

When did you last talk to your BFF?   Mr. Mamie is my BFF, so about 30 seconds ago.

When is your next road trip? A weekend trip at the end of the month up north for a family event with Mr. Mamie's cousins.

Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell anything to?   Mr. Mamie, duh.

How’s your heart?Overall, OK I think.

Have you ever felt like you weren’t important?   Yep.

Do you think somebody’s secretly in love with you? Nope.

What are you planning on doing after this?  Check the progress of the bread machine, take may lunch plate into the kitchen, iron some clothes, do some lesson plans.

Last time you yelled at someone? The dogs, for jumping on someone at the dog park.

Have you told anybody you loved them today?   Yes! :)

Who do you not get along with?  There are a couple of people I could do without in my work environment, but there's not outright dispute or hostility.

What does your most recent text say?   From my friend KB telling us how much we will love the new dog park (and we do!)

What are you wearing right now? Jeans, black t-shirt with a QR code graphic.

You’re locked in a room with the person you last kissed in high school, how is it?  Rather strained.

When’s the last time you had a grilled cheese?  It's been awhile, but I was just considering making one today!

What’s your favorite boy and girl name?  Ick, I hate that question.

How did you feel when you woke up?  Pretty well-rested, and ready to head off for dog park fun.

Do you wish someone would call or text you right now? Not really.

Do you think Clint Eastwood would have been better talking to a table?  I really have no clue what he was doing.

What were you doing yesterday at midnight?  Sleeping!


~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Menu Plan 8/26- 9/9, 2012

Well, school has started and I've made it though the first three weeks - which has included the first head/chest cold of the year and the first parent-teacher conferences of the year! I'm taking both math AND technology endorsement classes this year, so I have class two nights a week. And finally, as an elected Executive Board member of our local "education association" (because we theoretically don't have UNIONS in this state) I have meetings two or three times monthly. It's been busy!

Here's what we ate LAST week:

Sunday 8/26: Zesty Roasted Chicken, Ranch Potatoes (toss cut potatoes in olive oil and then sprinkle ranch dressing mix over them - we use this homemade version, roast in the oven until golden), green salad.

Monday 8/27: Spaghetti (whole wheat) with Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce, green salad, garlic bread sticks (from the grocery store bakery). [I had class]

Tuesday 8/28: Garlic Honey Chicken, egg noodles, green salad. [I had an association meeting.]

Wednesday 8/29: Ranch Pork Chops, egg noodles, green salad. [I had parent-teacher conferences after school until 8:00.]

Thursday 8/30: Baked Chicken and Bean Taquitos (from the freezer). [I had parent-teacher conferences after school until 8:00.]

Friday 8/31: Mr. Mamie and I ate out at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Saturday 9/1: Mr. Mamie and I snacked at a local harvest fair and again later at the movies.

And here's what's going on this week:

Sunday 9/2: Orange Chicken (frozen, from Costco) and Yellow Rice.

Monday 9/3: Sausage Tortellini Soup, green salad, French bread.

Tuesday 9/4: Grilled "flat" Italian chicken (pound chicken breasts with a mallet and marinate in Italian salad dressing), rice or couscous, green salad.

Wednesday 9/5: BBQ Turkey Meatloaf, green salad, maybe some rolls or extra veggies. [I have class.]

Thursday 9/6: Spaghetti (whole wheat) with Bolognese sauce from the freezer (see link above), garlic toast, green salad. [I have class].

Friday 9/7: Grilled chedderwurst dogs, oven fries.

Saturday 9/8: Up in the air, depending our our activities - we're planning to attend a Preparedness Expo at the convention center, and then may take the dogs up to the mountains for an afternoon of frolicking.


~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)

Sunday Stealing

Get your own from Sunday Stealing!

1. You have been awarded the time off from work and an all-expenses paid week anywhere in the United States. The catch is that it must be somewhere you have not been before. Where do you choose to visit? Coastal Maine or Hawaii, both beautiful but in different ways.

2. Name three of your guilty pleasures. (1) Air-popped popcorn, with lots of butter and salt; watching endless reruns of "Gilmore Girls"; (3) in the winter, driving with the windows open and the heater on.
3. The best kind of Girl Scout Cookie is: Scot Teas! Darn, though don't make those anymore… OK, Thin Mints.

4. What do you value most in other people? Genuineness.
5. Be honest. Do you sneak some raw cookie dough when you’re baking cookies? Heck yes!

6. Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that something you thought was a bad thing was actually a blessing in disguise? I think so….

7. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited? Zion National Park, just down the road from me.

8. Are you more of a thinker or a feeler? Both! Which is hard.

9. Name three things you are thankful for right now. Wonderful husband, wonderful pets, wonderful colleagues.

10. Have you ever participated in a three-legged race? Not that I can remember.

11. When you are at an event that plays the National Anthem, do you place your hand over your heart? Yes.

12. What kind of work do you do? First grade teacher.

13. During the course of your lifetime, which job or career has been your favorite or most fulfilling? First grade teacher!

14. Do you think it’s necessary in your life to have a day-to-day “career” that is meaningful and service-oriented or do you function better in “just a job” with a steady paycheck? I'm definitely of the career mindset.


15. Was there ever a time in your life when you wanted to stay home with your children instead of working, even if it meant less money in the household? It would have been very tempting, yes.

16. Tell us your worst boss story. That person is still within my professional realm, so I think I'd better not!

17. Have your ever been the boss? Yes, ugh.

18. What is your dream occupation? Independently wealthy preschool teacher!

~Mamie "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro!" (Hunter S. Thompson)