Hey everyone!

It was a long week, but it's finally over. I had meetings in Kansas City and the usual store walks this week. I have to go in for work at midnight to help out a store for inventory. I haven't done one of those for awhile, so the time adjustment will catch up with me tomorrow. Hopefully I won't be a complete bear to work with.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Checking In

Hey there.

The meetings in Kansas City were productive. We achieved quite a bit. I got home last night around 8:30 and spent time with Josh and the kid. I was off today and just basically vegged out. I even took a nap.

I also got word today that two coworkers are moving to different areas within the organization. One wants to move to California and the other is going to become an assistant manager. He has never really worked as a manager at store level and needs to do so in order to move up with our company. I am glad I have already done all of that.

Anyway, not much going on here. It's back to the daily work grind tomorrow. Hope you are all having a more exciting week than I am.

I am off to Kansas City this morning for some meetings. I will try and blog while I am there. If not, I will see you all on Wednesday!

I Am So Full

Have you ever tried the shrimp pasta from The Red Lobster? It's pretty good for restaurant food. Well, tonight I decided to make it at home. It turned out so much better than Red Lobster's version! I used all fresh ingredients. Fresh shrimp, Parmesan Reggiano (the real stuff), fresh parsley, fresh cream and lots of garlic. There was also some chicken stock in there which came from the pourable box (Thank you Swanson's). Josh is on the recliner and he can't move. I think I better make a low fat version next time or our furniture will never forgive us.

I worked today. It went by pretty fast. Lots to do this year. I am sure I will get most of it done. I talked about Possibilities vs. Resolutions the other day. One of my possibilities this year is to lose weight. I am not talking about a few pounds here or there, I mean lots! It's a possibility I may lose that weight, and then I may not. At least I won't make resolutions and then feel guilty about breaking them. It's my life right?

Another possibility I plan to work on is my contribution to my community. I would love to volunteer more and get my kid involved with this also. The kid already volunteers at a local church once a month. I wouldn't mind working with the homeless. I think I could help a lot of people who need it.

What are you doing in your communities? Do you volunteer? Can anyone give me some more suggestions?

The Leftovers Are Finally Gone

The day was sunny and cold, but I knew it would be a good one. Josh's family is always an entertaining group. You have his dad, JD, who is quiet and grumpy and set in his old ways. His mom, K, who is still in her wheel chair and trying to get stronger every day. Sister #1 is married with three children. The youngest one tends to get on the nerves sometimes with the constant tattling, but that is what children do when they don't get their way. Sister #2 has a live-in boyfriend and three sons. Her boys are very well behaved and the boyfriend has a huge appetite and loves to talk. Sister #3 is married and has two children plus a stepdaughter. I love her kids. Josh also has a younger brother who is an alcoholic in denial and an older half brother who lives in KC. There was also my own kid and myself. A total of 22 people in our house from 4 pm to 8:30 pm.

Here is what we had for dinner:
Shrimp platter
Vegetable platter
cheese ball and crackers
layered bean dip
antipasto tray
prime rib
roasted Parmesan fingerling potatoes
garlic mashed potatoes
cream cheese corn
steamed broccoli
brussel sprouts with almonds in butter sauce
fried green beans and onions
stuffing
deviled eggs
rolls
lime chiffon pie
cherry pie
cherry parfait cups
mini raspberry cheesecake bites in puff pastry
sugar cookies
layered lemon creme cake
layered strawberry creme cake

I made everything except for the two layered cakes. I had a pastry chef at one of my stores make those. I also did not make the cherry pie. It was brought by sister #2. The cheese ball was made by Josh's mom.

The appetizer platters we munched on while we waited for people to arrive. Everyone dug into the shrimp platter first. It was gone before all the guests arrived. After everyone arrived, we all had dinner. After dinner, we opened gifts. After gifts, I plated desserts. After desserts, I packaged leftovers for all families to enjoy at home and then patiently waited for everyone to leave so I could start cleaning up.

I love doing these holiday dinners, but I am always so anxious for everyone to leave so I can get the house back in order. I never get to truly sit down and enjoy myself whenever we host. I am always making sure drinks stay full and the party moves forward smoothly.

The last of the leftovers are finally gone. We have some lime chiffon pie left, only because I made an extra for us. I am so glad it's over with. I told Josh that someone else can do this next year. This will make it two years in a row that we have hosted Christmas at our house. Of course, if we move this year, we will probably have a larger home and will be expected to host. Not going to happen though.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year. I won't make any resolutions, but will list my possibilities another day. I call them possibilities because then if I break them, it's okay.

Have a great weekend! It's back to work tomorrow for me.