13 is the lonliest number...

...especially if you're craving some really yummy warm and perfectly salted chips and salsa, followed by a lovely margarita, which in turn is followed by a platter of ooey-gooey cheese and chicken enchiladas, rice, and beans. OMG. Stop the insanity. It's like being on Survivor and talking about food. So lame.

On the other hand, this has not been the hardest challenge I've taken, by far. By contrast - the ten days we did not eat out in Ethiopia were much harder and maybe because I knew that the opportunity for "breaking my fast" was not even an option over there. In fact, as I recall, the Starbucks coffee we made haste for upon exiting customs in Washington was both pricey and the best coffee I've ever had in my lifetime. So this gives me pause. Pause to remind myself that come February 15th, those chips and salsa will be waiting for me in a comfy booth at my local Hacienda de Amazing Mexican Food. But in the meantime - for these next seventeen days, I've got some work to do. It takes a lot of persistence to do something you don't want to do. Dieting, exercise, driving within the speed limit, being nice to mean people...but I digress. The point is, this is a good lesson that I was overdue for in learning to live within my means, and appreciating all that I do have (sitting right in my pantry). And even though I have to remind myself everyday why I'm doing this, again, and again...it will still be worth it if the greatest lesson is "we spend too much money on dumb stuff". Ha!

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: Cereal and yogurt for the baby

Lunch: Peanut butter and jelly

Dinner: Chicken Cordon Bleu with long grain rice.


AB has made this many times and it's such a lovely meal. I don't know how he does it, but it's the most natural and easy talent with him. It's just amazing...

For those just here to see the boy (you know who you are...ha!) here are a couple of cutie patootie shots from tonight with captions.


Tonight at bedtime, AB couldn't resist some rocking chair time and giggles with his boy. And Mommy just couldn't resist getting the camera to capture the "boy" goodness.

Priceless!

And while I'm on the subject of cute boys...what is it about footie pajamas? I mean, OMG...they are so stinking cute. Especially when they're just a little bit too big on the little boy.




Last but not least, thanks for all the props you generously gave me for the last post. And if I haven't said it before...thanks for reading faithfully all my blather and for loving on me and my little family, for supporting me, and following our life and journey. You're the best, and I'm not just sayin' that...

12 Days Short and Sweet

12 days, come and gone and almost two weeks under our belts. Proof that it really is possible to live if you don't eat out. I wish my tongue were in my cheek right now for that comment, but alas...I really do suffer from the malady that is Eatingoutaritis". Sigh.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because the hubs (who reads this blog daily and who by the way, is reading now) made the comment to me tonight that "gosh, you sure aren't getting many comments on these challenge/food posts". Which at first stung a little bit - but I'll need to put that ego in check. (and by the way, Mr. B - why don't YOU comment if you're so bothered by it, eh? Love you. Can't live without you. Shout out to ma girl RK) And which also led me to think that maybe this is kind of boring...I mean, who needs to come here and read about what we ate today? Talk about the low list of things to do, eh? I'm sorry...I think I just get tired of talking about one of two things. And if you're not sure what they are, just read over the last three years of blogging. I figured a little motherhood/adoption blogging hiatus was ok - but I may have lost some of you for the ride. Sorry friends - maybe I can scrape my bowl for some sassy writing that will stir the pot...the proverbial pot, that is - not the Chili pot. Heh...

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: Wait for it.....wait for it...Blueberry Muffins and Coffee. Yes, I actually broke away from the mold on day 12 to experience warm and buttery blueberry bliss. May have to have those again tomorrow, since I'm sitting on some leftovers. Not literally, of course...I mean...that would be not so good...anyway...


Lunch: Leftover Stringy Beef, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Dinner: Baked Potato Bar with Leftover Chili.



TTNF! I'm off to see a horse about some good writing material...or somthin'

He's Baaaaaaaccccckkkkkk!!!!!!

Whew...just when I thought we would starve to death or die from carbohydrate overdose. (ok, they're nothing alike...but it was going to be one or the other!) He's back! Thank the Lord in heaven above, because I'll tell you right now - Mommy was having an episode of the four walls closing in on me. Not to mention that Q-man has been sick with a cold the entire time. Poor little guy!

So here we are on day eleven and it's time for a small confession of the "spending money" variety. I hit a little bit of a wall today. Maybe because we didn't get out too much this last week, or maybe because AB has been gone - I don't know. But for some reason, today was a hump day. I could not seem to shake off the restless feeling that somewhere out there was a 90% off Christmas sale that I was missing out on. Don't try and reason with a crazy lady who hasn't had Chipotle in 11 days. (actually more) I was like a caged lion, pacing around my house and trying to busy my fingers so I would not focus on the possibility of marked down garland and dirt-cheap ornaments. Ack! I'm getting shaky just thinking about it.

By the time AB walked in the door, I practically lunged at him to pick a fight over where he had been able to dine at for the last four days, and started salivating over a stinking dollar menu Jack in the Box burger description. Egad! This was worse than I thought! Then, I begged...no practically groveled on the floor for the chance to leave the house and visit Taco Bell. Just Taco Bell, for crying out loud. I can shop dollar menu at Taco Bell! Please AB!!??? Alas, my darling saw right through me and encouraged me to get up off the floor and take a breath. He reminded me how disappointed I would be in myself and how much of a letdown it would be to post here tonight that I had blown it. Then he gave me a "you know better..." chagrin and quickly hastened to make our dinner before I wore him down with my piercing and spending-deprived gaze. (yikes!) Thankfully, he was right to talk me off the ledge. He made a fabulous dinner and it was just soooo good to have him back in the kitchen. More on that in a second...

The point is, I want you all to know that this challenge has been just that: a challenge. Some days are easier than others - but you do not realize how much spending we do on a daily basis until you are forced to examine it by putting away your ATM/Credit card. It's incredible to see my own spending impulses and patterns (i.e. when I feel bored, etc.) from a birds eye perspective. Something I simply never would have taken the time to notice, had I not put the challenge into action. A dollar here, five there, twenty-five there, forty-seven here...and by the end of the month, we're sorting through a hundred different transactions. It's ridiculous. And we wonder where our money went to?

Well, anyway...tonight Anton and I ran to Walmart to get some necessities like milk and cat food (poor kitty's gotta eat too!) and as we were leaving, AB did treat all three of us to an icecream from the Golden Arches. They have the best stinking icecream at our M-D's. No joke...thick and creamy (not icey and watery). And for $2.10, it really did help me to shake off my restlessness, refocus, and keep working towards my goal of 30 Days.

On a side note, our pastor found out about our challenge, and has asked us to write up something about our experience so he can challenge the church to do likewise for seven days. One week of giving up spending! I was a) honored to be asked and b) encouraged that more and more people are interested in finding out what motivated this and what keeps us going.

You know, AB's parents are Dutch immigrants who worked very hard for what they have. To them, over-spending is the ultimate frivolity and they are really good at saving. They rarely eat out and almost always shop a bargain. Their everyday is similar to our 30-Days of Nothing. They would probably not quite understand our challenge, as they live it 365. But for most people, and I truly believe this, we struggle with the day to day smaller spending - the spending that adds up at the end of the month to leave us wondering where it went. If you're like my in-laws - and truly can't relate to the challenge, then I applaud you! Wish I were in your shoes and didn't need the challenge at all. Ugh...

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: Cer....well, you know the rest

Lunch: Chimichanga (frozen) and QB had mac

Dinner: Sweet bliss, my baby is back and he made one of my favorites...Steak, Potatoes, and Green beans.



Love you babe - so glad you're home safe and sound!



Onward to 12!!

Ten, Ten, bo-ben...banana fana fo fen...

10! Yaay for ten! One third of the way through the month, two-thirds to go.

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet as a way of checking in and keeping up with reporting from the "Fields of Nothin'" (ha! I just made myself laugh)

Gentle reminder that AB does not return until tomorrow, and so once again, the menu reflects it. Desperately. Sob.

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: Let's throw you a bone...Honey Nut Cheerios with a delicious banana sliced and thrown in to the bowl, and covered with cold fresh milk. (better?)

Lunch: Turkey and Cheese sandwiches with Doritos.

Snack: Celery with Peanut Butter and Carrots with Ranch...well, I was craving a little bit of everything but I had to make do with what I had. Don't worry...I drank some water in between courses.

Dinner: Don't laugh. The picture will say it all. To my own defense, I do love me some Mac and Sausage. And for Quint, well there is just about nothing else that will make him eat faster. So, whatever works, eh?


And for QB's Daddy, who we miss so much! I present the cutest boy walking the planet during bathtime tonight...


See you all for the beginning of the next two-thirds...