Meal Plan Monday

This week will be interesting for cooking. It's my first week back to work as a "working mom" and Joe works late every night with his new schedule. Here is what I have planned.

Monday:

Asparagus

The Worlds Best Chicken

Tuesday:

Roasted Broccoli with Smashed Garlic

Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Sauce

Wednesday:

Lemon Chicken

Leftover veggies

Thursday:

Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

White Rice

Broccoli

Friday:

We will be going out to dinner for my dad's birthday!

Saturday:

Going out to dinner with friends :)

Product Review: Woolite Extra Dark

Crowdtap recently sent me some samples of Woolite Extra Dark Care to use and to pass out to friends. I have been a devoted Woolite user for years. I was super excited to try it out on my jeans especially. It worked wonders and my jeans have not faded a bit since I started using it!! You try it out...it's wonderful!!

Thoughtful Thursday

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today's things that I am loving are all recent purchases for Miss Sally. This, my friends, is one of the reasons why I am still working this year....so that I can buy her sweet things.

I got this dress from her this week from a seller on FB.

I ordered these waterproof labels for her bottles (and sippy cups later) from a seller on Etsy.

I got this cute green/white seersucker bathing suit for next summer. I plan on getting her monogram put on the front (in pink of course!).

I won this sweet strawberry bubble (future ZTA?) off a FB "auction". This will fit her next year.

In other news, we are putting our house on the market this weekend...exciting!!

Teacher Toolbox: My Version

While wasting time on Pinterest the other day, I saw a little project that I simply had to make for my classroom. Enter the "Teacher Toolbox".  Here is a link to the original post. I love that she gives you the printables to make this. I printed them off, cut them out and glued onto cute scrapbook paper. I got the toolbox at Lowe's for around $17 and spray painted it lime green. I love the way it turned out!!

Meal Plan Monday

Sunday

Honey Lime Chicken Skewers

Grilled Veggies

Yellow Rice

*I will also be making Cranberry Nut Granola

Monday

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Homemade Salsa and Chips

Carmelitas

Tuesday

Coconut Shrimp with Mango Sauce 

 Asian Slaw

Wednesday

Leftovers

Thursday
Lemon Pepper Shrimp with Orzo

Friday
Out to dinner with friends

The Last Cab Ride

I usually like to focus on food, fashion, being a mommy, etc., but I saw this today and it touched me so much that I wanted to share. 

A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

 

Thoughtful Thursday

Citrus Lane- July Box Review

So excited....the mail lady just left my July Citrus Lane box on my doorstep. I could hardly wait to open it. This month did not disappoint! The theme was "BonVoyage" and it was all products that are great for traveling. 

In the box:

*California Baby Travel Set

I love this brand and this set will be perfect for taking to the beach in a few months.

*Green Toys Race Car

I love all the toys made by this company. This car is actually made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. 

*Baggu Standard Shopping Bag

This bag has a handy little pouch that it folds up into. This is a great bag for throwing into your purse for quick trips to Target!

*On-the-go Baby Laundry Detergent

These little packets are perfect for keeping in the diaper bag to wash those special items of clothing should they happen to get messed up.

*Me4Kidz Diaper Bag Buddy

This hard case is great. It has tons of stuff inside: wipes, band-aids, diaper bags, etc. Perfect for a beach bag!

*Ella's Yum Yummy Baby Cookies

These look yummy and I'm sure that Sally is going to love them in the next month or so :)

*Sincerely Inc. 10 Free Postagrams

I'm not really familiar with this...but excited to try it out!

Ready to join? Go ahead and click this link: http://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/sarah.Moske

Baby Sally-Five Months Old

Hey Baby Girl!

You are now five months old. That sounds so crazy to me! I cannot believe that you have been here for 5 months. It seems like just yesterday I was as big as a house and getting ready to welcome you to the world. It's crazy to think that this time last year, you were in my belly. It truly is amazing! I love you so much. You have the sweetest personality. I have trouble remembering those sleepless nights in the beginning since we are having so much fun now. This has been my favorite month so far. You are really starting to notice the world around you. You love our morning walks and love to look at trees and flowers. You turn your little head when you hear birds chirping. You love to watch me and Daddy as we move around. Sometimes you start to fuss if we leave you in a room by yourself. You love to smile and have laughed out loud a few times. I cannot wait until you are doing it all the time. I think you are a little mini-me. We do everything together: shopping, taking walks, blogging, watching The Bachelor, etc. I love you so much sweet baby girl. I am so excited to be your mommy!

Your 5 Month Stats:

Weight: 13 lbs 

You are still wearing Size 0-3 month clothes, but I have also put you in some of the 3-6 month clothes...and they fit! You are now in Size 2 diapers...they are a little big but the Size 1's are too snug.

You have the sweetest rolls on your chunky little thighs. I love to kiss them!

You are eating every 2-4 hours. You usually go around 3 hours between feedings, but you occasionally want to eat after two and a half hours and will sometimes stretch to 4. You tried rice cereal, but you still have that reflex that makes you spit everything out, so we have been adding a little to your morning bottle. 

You are VERY interested when Daddy and I eat...especially when we say "nom, nom, nom" while chewing. We will try solids with a spoon again this week and see if you are ready yet. 

This month:

You LOVE to stand up. Anytime we are down on the floor with you, you want to be standing up. You aren’t sitting up on your own yet, but you can sit up in Mommy’s lap very well. You got in your doorway jumper once, but it is still a little too big...maybe we will try again in a month of so.  

 You love your playmat and love to swat and grab at everything that hangs down.

 

You love to sit in your Boppy Lounger, but you will roll right off if we are not paying attention to you...little stinker! You LOVE Sophie and chew on her all the time.

You are getting much better at sitting up against something.

I love how you hold you sweet little hands.

You have the funniest expressions. You also started doing a "cute" yawn. Love it!

Your sleeping has regressed a bit. You were moved to your crib in your nursery like a big girl and you did just fine. Mommy and Daddy were the ones nervous. We have the video baby monitor, so we can watch you while you sleep.You had your first cold, so we put you back in your pack and play in our room so we could keep our eyes on you. 

We celebrated Joe's first Father's Day and that afternoon you took a nap with Daddy. 

We love taking you to Levitt Shell to hear live music whenever we can. You love to see all the people and bright lights. 

You went on your first Girls Weekend to Aunt Kristy's house. This was your first time at the mall and you loved it. We took you to Cool Springs, Opry Mills, and Nashville Flea Market. You are such a shopping pro! Here is a picture of you and Aunt Kristy.

We celebrated your first 4th of July. You had two adorable outfits and you loved the fireworks!

You have laughed out loud a few times. The first real continuous laugh happened this month when we were having a pool day with friends and Daddy gave you a small taste of banana pudding. You LOVED it and it sent you into a fit of giggles for about 10 minutes. It made it cry...such a sweet sound!

You officially found your feet this month and love to hold onto your toes while getting your diaper changed.

 This was such a fun month. I cannot wait to see what the next month has in store for us!