tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303459882024-03-07T19:50:05.742-05:00Maine-ly MeginMeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-25217004072128807072009-07-30T18:10:00.000-04:002009-07-30T18:11:16.917-04:00Meg's LensIn case you missed it, Megin's got a new home now. She's snapping and writing about it at <a href="http://throughmegslens.blogspot.com/">Through Meg's Lens</a>. Swing by, won't you?Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-35753725961610735012009-06-29T22:51:00.002-04:002009-06-29T22:56:58.131-04:00Going out of BusinessI'm stepping away from MM. I'll continue the x365 project and might post it in its entirety eventually.<br /><br />But now, You can find me at <a href="http://throughmegslens.blogspot.com/">Through Meg's Lens</a>. And I am still at <a href="http://gnmparents.com">GNMParents</a>, too.<br /><br />Maybe I'll see you there?Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-37575996856664666992009-05-21T07:27:00.005-04:002009-05-21T07:55:57.126-04:00You Capture: SweetIf you would like to see more You Capture pictures, please visit <a href="http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/05/you-capture-sweet.html">I Should Be Folding Laundry...</a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Sweet Feet:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3549411031/" title="crossed by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3549411031_ca2e3e4a6e.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="crossed" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3549406891/" title="DSC_0028-1 by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3549406891_5560ff6d4d.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0028-1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3551414816/" title="Aidan doing homework by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3551414816_e95732238a.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="Aidan doing homework" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Sweet Things:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3546750176/" title="DSC_0003 by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3546750176_8f99d12ee7.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0003" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3550212706/" title="Clay by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3550212706_de77fce159.jpg" width="500" height="379" alt="Clay" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3550209802/" title="Aidan doing homework by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3550209802_8132f90a5e.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Aidan doing homework" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-27158564013052149652009-05-20T22:48:00.002-04:002009-05-20T23:10:29.412-04:0037x365x151Pencil written notes asking to meet after school<br />Sitting on concrete risers in front of a small town library<br />Awaiting our respective rides <br />Nervously joking and clumsily holding hands<br />Quite quick to release when a car passed.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-75150140152261493192009-05-14T07:24:00.003-04:002009-05-14T07:34:15.187-04:00You Capture: ColorsToday's You Capture topic is Colors. For more, please visit <a href="http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/05/you-capture-colors.html">I Should Be Folding Laundry.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3514619682/" title="DSC_0134 by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3514619682_6e36cbcfa5.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="DSC_0134" /></a><br /><br />It might just be me, but my colors seem a bit more vibrant... more vavavoom now that I am shooting everything manually.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3523452689/" title="DSC_0004 by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3523452689_9eac592ce4.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="DSC_0004" /></a><br /><br />And the absence of color:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3524266470/" title="Purty by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3524266470_d2df67b62e.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="Purty" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-53133005946792260102009-05-14T07:20:00.002-04:002009-05-14T07:24:14.899-04:00You Capture: ExpressionLast week's You Capture topic was Expression. For more, visit: <a href="http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/05/you-capture-expression.html">I should be folding laundry.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26328158@N03/3526337297/" title="the expression! by mhatchew, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3526337297_a7309ff850.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="the expression!" /></a>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-81946400348331365392009-05-13T17:50:00.002-04:002009-05-13T18:10:39.014-04:0037x365x150No excuses, no explanations. Just coming back.<br /><br />********<br /> <br />Always with the video camera, chronicling every different day, tapes (now disks) labeled, organized, and stored in a box marked "someday."<br /><br />And your kids, full of expectation falling short of entitlement, will love to have them, "someday."Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-14737935964145130492009-04-02T14:25:00.006-04:002009-04-02T15:24:58.595-04:00SpringThis week's <a href="http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/04/you-capture-week-six.html">You Capture</a> photo challenge was "Spring."<br /><br />Our snow is finally melting (though I am thinking we might have 1 more good storm in store for us). This little guy was left out in the fall, buried before he could be brought to safety. He must be glad that spring is here:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ck2z0GVUkoII7aYcdymCbS3U3xQ65kvIinfjjROPZy10HHZl22yuFlVYylEzp2C966GfKnzjt3oFb4QsZO9Asbi5FpLWa7wju-h408kE6Pr5k6x2ZYdgTDuf8FuU_1ZneoOv2A/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Ck2z0GVUkoII7aYcdymCbS3U3xQ65kvIinfjjROPZy10HHZl22yuFlVYylEzp2C966GfKnzjt3oFb4QsZO9Asbi5FpLWa7wju-h408kE6Pr5k6x2ZYdgTDuf8FuU_1ZneoOv2A/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320175582929719010" /></a><br /><br />And a missing whiffle ball:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS5EoYYdE9LEZ0cXmu8cdMFEXWeYarA9qloDxbzOimW6kaKv6kWxJDI1B9n0X6ELBOPeXR_aCrA7UyOYL0664vFb79pNfR-Ag9gL1ZkroJIvN_ep5-TYZvhcV0YCzPY2VcvBBRw/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS5EoYYdE9LEZ0cXmu8cdMFEXWeYarA9qloDxbzOimW6kaKv6kWxJDI1B9n0X6ELBOPeXR_aCrA7UyOYL0664vFb79pNfR-Ag9gL1ZkroJIvN_ep5-TYZvhcV0YCzPY2VcvBBRw/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320176656319098466" /></a><br /><br />You can see other spring photos at <a href="http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/04/you-capture-week-six.html">I Should Be Folding Laundry.</a><br /><br />To Boston tomorrow, I am hoping to see more signs of spring there.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-49632011100063012482009-03-30T13:28:00.004-04:002009-03-30T13:35:23.923-04:00Sidebar<br><br />My friend <a href="http://thatslifev2.blogspot.com/">ITFL</a> got a new camera and is playing around with it a lot. She pointed me to <a href="http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/2009/03/you-capture-week-five.html">You Capture</a> which offers a weekly photo challenge.<br /><br />I love my camera and decided to play along. But (you will be shocked) I am late. Maybe this week I'll be on time. Last week's topic was Reflections and here are my 2 shots:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vNlmZLnm4GyYzwzuXZIhlXQOG-zL7HCmZVN33UXbCc-4_uBdgaUFv7MWdHaDVDCJYSskd2umgCJ1PwqWIvWp40uVJHYvCy2RF8_lJ-hp-zEBanR8s2jHc-TmHG09XImobZXxQQ/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vNlmZLnm4GyYzwzuXZIhlXQOG-zL7HCmZVN33UXbCc-4_uBdgaUFv7MWdHaDVDCJYSskd2umgCJ1PwqWIvWp40uVJHYvCy2RF8_lJ-hp-zEBanR8s2jHc-TmHG09XImobZXxQQ/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319034872019571362" /></a><br /><br />and:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO5NI4r6bBQduELzmuieSrfhUyOpOCabFVL0Al_TghlJrwBwg2aUGj7a2D2jm6W6AI8eTZERXIOLFtRhKXC1QQUpPrqqR6zSWcS0CtQQZ2m-ej_hrr8KAboUQENN_wSPwTAOmmw/s1600-h/DSC_0051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvO5NI4r6bBQduELzmuieSrfhUyOpOCabFVL0Al_TghlJrwBwg2aUGj7a2D2jm6W6AI8eTZERXIOLFtRhKXC1QQUpPrqqR6zSWcS0CtQQZ2m-ej_hrr8KAboUQENN_wSPwTAOmmw/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319035178061584434" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's my goal to get back to posting here more this week. But more importantly, how are you??Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-47126681910491127132009-03-09T22:26:00.003-04:002009-03-09T22:50:39.248-04:00Planning<br><br />I'm feeling swell and am back on the meal planning menu bus.<br /><br />Exciting:<br /><br />Mon- Whole Wheat Teriyaki pork wraps (with lettuce, cabbage, carrots, blanched broccoli, and an Asian inspired dressing). 2 of 3 kids? LOVED these.<br /><br />Tues- homemade pizza<br /><br />Wed- Make your own Cobbish salad with homemade rolls (butter lettuce, carrots, eggs, avocado, diced baked ham, feta, garbanzo beans, broccoli, apples, etc.).<br /><br />Thur- Corn Flake chicken, sweet potato steak fries, crudite'<br /><br />Fri- <a href="http://www.makeandtakes.com/pop-up-pancakes">Puffy Pancakes</a> with fruit (How good do these look?)<br /><br />Sat- A lightened up version of: <a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/three_cheese_baked_spaghetti">3 cheese baked spaghetti</a>, broccoli<br /><br />Sun- <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/2008/10/pork-with-apples-and-asparagus.html">Pork and apples</a> over rice (crock pot)with veggies<br /><br />Mon- Open (leftovers?)<br /><br />Tues- Teriyaki steak wraps (variation on last Monday)<br /><br />Wed- Lasagna in a skillet<br /><br />Thur- Homemade Pizza<br /><br />Fri- Veggie and cheese oven omelets <br /><br />Sat: Open<br /><br />I have to admit I was feeling completely uninspired and so I bounced around some of the 436 <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/03/menu-plan-monday-march-9th.html">Menu Plan Monday</a> links up at <a href="http://orgjunkie.com">Organizing Junkie</a>. Yeah, 436 at last check! The I figured if I liked reading what those folks were eatin', I should post my menu here again.<br /><br />So, I did.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-12283698464820560252009-03-09T22:11:00.003-04:002009-03-09T22:51:14.171-04:0037x365x149<br><br />20 years ago you were the captain of everything.<br /><br />Your gregarious ways are still the same.<br /><br />And your girls... could be the same.<br /><br />But they aren't.<br /><br />They are two portly statistics who engage fully with magical boxes.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-22174832919222769592009-03-03T22:19:00.004-05:002009-03-03T22:33:04.148-05:00Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!<br><br />Excuse #356 I've been sick, but after 8 days of really feeling pretty bad and playing an exciting game of "stump the doctors," tonight I feel pretty ok.<br /><br />Excuse #357 Is there a Brady in the house? This was taken about 15 minutes ago:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL90Zw695n_5hbJ2xpRBdgNQIkUbys7svx1zkOQ9tiood4A5NuVN0nw0o2SYiz31iipKhFkVLcZX-jvv-SuL_VzLPtSmI8GtugQL8hXxtcDwK3cntglyR6iVLan-9zAtqWHwzORw/s1600-h/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL90Zw695n_5hbJ2xpRBdgNQIkUbys7svx1zkOQ9tiood4A5NuVN0nw0o2SYiz31iipKhFkVLcZX-jvv-SuL_VzLPtSmI8GtugQL8hXxtcDwK3cntglyR6iVLan-9zAtqWHwzORw/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309168057235820034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, How's the lion that is the beginning of March treating you? Looking forward to the lamb leaving? Yeah, me, too. I'll be happy to change the clocks this weekend. It is a big step in the right direction.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-18229556985808464082009-02-26T17:33:00.003-05:002009-02-26T17:46:47.226-05:00CausesEvery year our family participates in the Big Brothers Big Sisters bowl-a-thon. It is always a very positive experience and the money goes to a fantastic program that improves the lives of children and families in a real and meaningful way.<br /><br />$1, $5, $10... the donations add up and the sum goes towards changing children's lives. If you can, please consider making a small donation. <br /><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><br /><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><br /><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="3561991"><br /><input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1" /><br /></form><br /><br />Aidan and Clay are also participating in the St. Jude's Math-a-thon. They each have set a goal to raise $35. They saw the video at school, and were very moved by the children at the hospital.<br /><br /><form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"><br /><input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"><br /><input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="3562266"><br /><input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"><br /><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1" /><br /></form><br /><br />For all of the charitable giving that you do, <span style="font-style: italic;">thank you</span> from the Hatches.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-4365462571316896952009-02-24T22:47:00.002-05:002009-02-24T23:14:25.238-05:0037!!x365x148<br />You may have been having an affair with a stripper when I knew you. <br /><br />You may have received your marriage certificate before your high school diploma.<br /><br />You may have been granted custody because she didn't want it...<br /><br />**<br /><br />Sheepish squirm. I'm fine thanks, and you? <br /><br />I decided to switch to 37 words after my birthday. At this rate I might reach 50 by the time I finish this project. The good news is I am already planning my next x365. I wonder what technological advances will be made between now and then.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-17029350481139537492009-02-10T21:45:00.002-05:002009-02-10T22:19:33.315-05:0036x365x147<br />Such lightness, with a laugh that must be mirrored, a gentleness worthy of reverence, a shine in the eye and a wiggle in the hip.<br /><br />Less than a challenge, Grace contained, we're lucky to know you.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-42261159965602242322009-02-06T22:07:00.002-05:002009-02-06T22:48:14.308-05:0036x365x146<br />I see your oft bent elbow and smoky aura. <br />I read your indecorous updates.<br />I expect to hear that your family rushed from the shadowed night into the too bright halls of the hospital.<br />Too late.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-5620396794778637592009-02-01T21:35:00.002-05:002009-02-01T22:04:52.310-05:0036x365x145<br />The strength of us was tested by the boy in the middle. How typically predictable. The integrity of the structure was severely compromised.<br /><br />Before: beach volleyball, long talks and olives.<br />After: Christmas cards and occasional email.<br /><br />***********<br /><br />My birthday is this month... do I change to 37 words?Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-49867555764598942702009-01-30T19:02:00.003-05:002009-01-30T20:22:01.156-05:0036x365x144Your primly proper persona, Laura Ingalls inspired wardrobe, and Dorothy Hamilish hair were juxtaposed by your gift of making students feel dumb. <br /><br />After I left your school, rumors escaped that your single self was with child.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">**********************************<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, good gravy. Remember how I asked for banana bread recipes? My friend Nancy sent me one that <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> be shared. I should mention that I tweak recipes and rarely make anything exactly as I'm told. The recipe here contains my modifications. I might cut back the white sugar by 1/2 next time. <br /><br />First off it was a muffin recipe, but I doubled the batch and made it in a 9x13 pan and called it cake. We had it for dessert.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Banana Cake</span><div>3 cups flour<br />1 cup brown sugar<br /></div> <div>1 cup white sugar</div> <div>1 1/2 tsp. baking soda</div> <div>3/4 tsp. salt</div> <div>6 medium ripe bananas</div> <div>2 egg</div> <div>1/3 cup vegetable oil<br />1/3 cup applesauce<br /></div> <div>1 tsp vanilla extract<br />1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br /></div> <div> </div> <div>In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, mash the bananas; add egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased 9x11 pan. Bake at 375 degrees of 18-22 minutes or until brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean.<br /></div><br /></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-839281146947405212009-01-29T19:58:00.002-05:002009-01-29T20:22:17.253-05:0036x365x143<br />We were 2 of the few left standing around the bonfire, listening to late guitars. I was soberly expecting my third, your son was sleeping soundly.<br /><br />The 3 am call to you still leaves me laughing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-20032195040118504772009-01-26T21:48:00.002-05:002009-01-26T22:55:08.352-05:0036x365x142Some say that blogger "someones" are just plain folk. I watched you, bored with boredom, falling back to the comfort of your crew. Not exactly cruel, but less than kind. Like plain folk.<br /><br />Who wants plain?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">****************************************************************************<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Nancy asked if I was having fun with this budgeting thing. I am. My kids are, which I find totally weird. But I'm making things I haven't made in awhile and most of these have been big hits. Now they want a say on deciding what makes it to the calendar, which is cool. And they've been helping to cook more, also cool.<br /><br />***<br /><br />CNN just reported 70,000+ jobs cuts were announced today.<br /><br />***<br /><br />The Total Money Makeover addresses the issue of keeping up with the Joneses. I know the Joneses. I'm related to a lot of the Jonses. I'm friends with some of the Joneses.<br /><br />The Joneses stink. Mostly they stink because (many of them) are completely overextended and living off their credit cards and paying finance charges while projecting an aura of complete financial harmony. They are buying new cars and taking trips and yes, even saving for college, but they are doing so while paying high interest rates and overage charges on their credit cards.<br /><br />But they are projecting harmony, which will make it hard to decline invitations and live within a budget. Except that progress is tangible. And hopefully, enough.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyLeft" title="Align Left" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 10);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Left" class="gl_align_left" border="0" /></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-5437878435488312662009-01-22T13:52:00.004-05:002009-01-26T14:41:33.928-05:00Menu Planning<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/01/menu-plan-monday-jan-26th-giveaway.html">The Organizing Junkie does a Menu Plan Monday</a>. I'm trying to see if I can get on that train because those women are mo*ti*va*ted. Not sure if I can make it work with my weird 14 day starting on Thursday thing. Perhaps I need to adjust my schedule, which usually starts on payday. Hmmmm....<br /><br /><br />I've done my 2 week meal plan and shopping. Here's the schedule:<br /><br />Thursday: Taco soup (simmering as we speak)<br />Friday: Homemade Pizza<br />Saturday: Night out, pasta and veggies for the Punks<br />Sunday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches (new recipe)<br />Monday: Ham/Cheese/Veggie Frittata<br />Tuesday: Burritos<br />Wednesday: Taco Soup<br />Thursday: Homemade Pizza<br />Friday: Leftover night<br />Saturday: Turkey<br />Sunday: Veggie Frittata<br />Monday: Creamy Turkey and Egg noodles (new recipe... contains cream cheese :)<br />Tuesday: Quesadillas<br />Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner (fruit pancakes)<br /><br />I'm pretty motivated by thwe amount of money I'm saving, so I am talking about it a lot.<br /><br />Care to share a favorite dinner menu?<br /><br />We now return to our regularly scheduled programming.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-1204565882046734442009-01-21T21:55:00.002-05:002009-01-21T22:18:55.940-05:0036x365x141<br />I stood behind the backstop with you at bat. Playing on the boys soccer team gave me confidence and I watched openly.<br />You were only vaguely interested, and we held clammy hands on a group date.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm struggling to stay on top of this. Part of it is lacking creativity. Part of it is lacking focus. Part of it is investing in an enormous personal reorganization. Part of it is thinking and planning the direction of <a href="http://www.gnmparents.com">GNMParents</a>. Part of it is winter. Part of it is wondering who you are and why you're here. Part of it is another website I'm working on. Part of it is a fourth site I'm contemplating. <br /><br />Part of it is none of the aforementioned components fitting perfectly.<br /><br />I'm having fun with the budgeting thing, though. An update will be up on GNMP tomorrow morning.<br /></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-46344850017063312922009-01-16T07:26:00.002-05:002009-01-16T07:27:48.248-05:00Today<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEcz_Er3BXBT7aVxNO8mjqejtoRRBJEYk6QzHNmYdkA0ePRdxYQ_m8iMKqKCgmDKz3YQN-PuIUwRDZ0AGyI3vK57CgQvqGTnAxXGp-lk29TlsmbG9buxFo-eOiEhTQtZD9nzYuQ/s1600-h/Capture.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEcz_Er3BXBT7aVxNO8mjqejtoRRBJEYk6QzHNmYdkA0ePRdxYQ_m8iMKqKCgmDKz3YQN-PuIUwRDZ0AGyI3vK57CgQvqGTnAxXGp-lk29TlsmbG9buxFo-eOiEhTQtZD9nzYuQ/s320/Capture.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291867084935173970" border="0" /></a><br />Brisk Morning in Maine. At least there is no wind chill.Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-7723448364142698522009-01-14T14:45:00.002-05:002009-01-14T15:06:04.565-05:0036x365x140<br />There was dark drama in the hallways, time and time again. Together. Apart. Lather, rinse, repeat. The sweetest and the cruelest, as it often is with first loves.<br /><br />And to think, it might've been with me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*********************************************************<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I need a rocking banana bread (or any other fruit/veggie bread) recipe. Do you have one to share? <br /></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30345988.post-54876833761477182182009-01-12T22:01:00.002-05:002009-01-12T22:49:19.053-05:0036x365x139<br />Tip-toe, hand wag, don't look me in the eye. Persist past the point of bother, into an unfamiliar, uncomfortable, unreal realm.<br /><br />So sorry, they couldn't hear me. I hope that a teacher, leader, friend will help.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*********************************<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Do you have a written budget? Do you stick to it? Is it fluffy or trim? We're trim compared to many, but I'm embarking on an effort to reduce our food budget by 1/4. It's very ambitious, especially because good, creative, healthy food is a priority.<br /><br />Today I looked at the flier before I made my list, and then came up with a menu plan for the next week and a half. <span style="font-style: italic;">Week and a half</span>. Which I think is better than an hour and a half. I bought things that were needed for multiple recipes and tried to keep things interesting, delicious, and healthy. Of course I'll need to do mini trips for more bread and produce, but other than that I'm hoping to make it through with what I bought today. We'll see.<br /><br />I'm also going to get in the habit of making more homemade snacks for the Punks. How domestic. Muffins and banana bread and stuff like that. High fructose corn syrup be damned. Gosh, maybe I need an apron.<br /><br />So, here's the thing. I keep reading and hearing about job losses and company closings. And about people who are getting slammed by unexpected expenses. And the husband, daughter, son gets who gets sick. I know you have, too. <br /><br />Building and maintaining an emergency fund becomes increasingly important now. Or perhaps I'm over-reacting. Or perhaps we're behind the ball.<br /><br />According to Dave Ramsey (Total Money Makeover), 49% of Americans could cover less than one month's expenses if they lost their income. Does that surprise you?<br /></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06938740393656667320noreply@blogger.com1