New Job

The new job and I are getting along. My only frustration is that the people I need stuff from to do my part aren't moving as fast as I am. That's the government for ya. I'm just not used to sitting around with nothing to do, so I've had to perfect the art of looking busy. And that's getting old. Hopefully things will pick up soon--the big cheese did tell me I came in at a slow time. I moved in to my cubicle this week...and you know me-I already moved some file cabinets around. I only have two of them, but they are empty so I took advantage and set it up how I work. Snacks on the left and work on the right (ha Ha). My top drawer is filled with protein bars and hot tamales.

Snuggles

Apparently I need to lift weights or something. I can't even wash my hands without pulling a muscle. This morning I pulled a muscle in my upper back while washing my hands. So lame. Today I am snuggling up with the heating pad....again. Who loves aging...holla back.

Two new Favorite cookbooks

So far, I've made several things out of the Cheap Fast Good! book. The moo-shu pork from Andi's b-day was from here.

And the Healthy Meals for Less is on order. I used to have Miserly Moms also by Jonni McCoy but lost track of it. Loved the recipes in that one, so I am hoping this one is just as yummy.

Power Shopping

Veronica has been hired! I got the call on Andrea's b-day and Cole's team won that day too. I have no idea exactly what I will be doing...something with tracking projects, but I am up to any challenge. I spent the weekend shopping. New blouses and slacks-even splurged on jeans just in case there is casual friday. I totally think Ara should take me out, I still have tags on a dress I bought on my last shopping spree. Shoe shopping is next on the agenda. I really want some dressy boots and ballet flats.

Scored these two a Target. The yellow isn't as bright as this pic and has white polka dots.

Snagged this is dark teal

Got this in purples

Cords in charcoal

Trouser jeans in dark rinse and above color

Gray slack with a light gray pinstripe

Also got some spanx power panties so I can button my existing pants while I continue this fight with the scale. And yesterday I broke down and ordered bareminerals makeup. shush...I didn't tell Ara about that last one. And Cole came along too and made out like a bandit...4 pairs of jeans and 3 new tees, socks (neverending need with him) and boxers. He's the most fun to shop with! When I told him that he asked to go car shopping.

Andrea's excitment

This is us when Ara told us his batteries were dead.

An all orange birthday....

I think she stopped breathing...

She made her birthday shirt...It says "I'm the birthday girl. Finally 14!"

The Dresser

Before

See where Andi etched 'Boys are dumb"
and After. Now all that's left is for Ara to start his wire hiding project.

Happy 14 Andi

Andrea is fourteen today. Wow. And the evening is packed with Cole's game, Andi's open house, and Jake has something with his senior project. She's having a couple girlfriends over on Friday so today is our small family celebration. I am going to try to make cupcakes with a cream cheese chocolate chip filling and moo shoo pork. I may splurge and buy some fried crab rangoons somewhere.

My dresser is finally finished! and in the middle of this ants raided my kitchen. Its absolutely amazing how much I can stuff into a cabinet. So now that that's done, I set up my sewing and stacks of projects back into the dining room, which should be called the hobby lobby or something cool like that. I also started a new crochet project over the weekend. I am halfway done....

the pattern is free at redheart.com I am making it with perfectly plum simply soft eco yarn. Yarn made out of recycled plastic bottles!