Elusive Ink

Currently Listening
Jesusland
Ben Folds




After a very pleasant weekend, it's Monday again. Funny how that works. It's been a busy few weeks around the house, but not too stressful. Nathan arrived about a week and a half ago, and it really is great having him here. Despite the challenges of adjusting to that daunting thing called "change", we're both so happy to finally be able to spend some time together. We went together to see the new Star Trek in imax last week, it was truly stunning. I left wanting to see it again. Other than that, we've been enjoying just having time to do mundane things together: running errands, doing dishes, sitting together and reading, etc. So far, so good.



I was very proud of myself for completing my first two week menu for the entire family last weekend. It's going well so far, we're halfway into it and there hasn't been too much complaint about my choices. I realized how hard it is to balance healthy foods, with economical choices, and complicated recipes with simple meals the kids can easily throw together. I came in a little overbudget, but not too bad. I decided to try out some of the coupon/moneysaving tips I've been reading about and realized it's a lot harder than they make it out to be! I had almost twenty coupons and...only saved about $5. I have a feeling it would be easier I wasn't planning for 9 people, but it's all a learning process and I'm really enjoying the experience. I figure if I can learn the best tecniques to do it now, for 9, then when I'm married and have my own kids it will be a cinch.

Aside from menu planning, I've not been doing much at all, working on building my new website (elusivephotodesign.com --- but there's nothing there yet!), and planning our Luau! I am so very excited to be seeing friends from all over the US, and the week will be a blast. I relenquished kitchen duty for the luau, because I was beginning to get very stressed about trying to make an authentic hawaiian feast for 40+. So, I'm making two cakes, and concentrating on being the photographer. That's it. I'm proud of myself.

I've been really focusing on a few things in particular lately: learning to accept help, and learning that it's perfectly fine to be content in my life as it is, and do "nothing" for a while (work part-time, enjoy baking and doing laundry) until I feel led to pursue something concrete.

I am content, but had been beating myself up that I wasn't actively pursuing something important. Mostly because I was worried that my parents would feel I was being lazy, and continued to feel pressure from friends asking me "aren't you disappointed that you aren't going to college this fall?" Honestly, I'm not. I'm very at peace with my decision, and pleased not to be starting off my life in debt. I'm working steadily towards my career, and more importantly - I'm gaining life skills, and home management skills that will be invaluable to me as a wife and mother someday. I feel like I have my priorities straight, and am really glad that Mom helped me to see that it's perfectly fine to relax for a while.



I spent the evening last night making a "rainbow cake" as a test run for Sophie's birthday cake. I didn't frost it, partially because I didn't want to waste the time/ingredients, but mostly because we're all going to be sick of cake soon. I will be doing some marathon baking during the next few weeks, as we have four birthdays and a luau that need cakes. (Maybe cookies for the luau?) I'm making a chocolate spiderman cake, another rainbow cake, a zebra cake, a carrot cake, a cheesecake, and a chocolate sheet cake. I'm guessing I won't be having a slice of them all, (would be kind of counter-productive to trying to live and eat healthier) and the kids' birthday cakes will be TINY cakes. I may not make a cake for two or three months after July.

Now, I should go get ready for work. I need to run by the bank to deposit my check before I go in, and would like to rotate the laundry again before I leave. I'm down to two loads, which is always a good feeling! I am going to try to break out of the Monday blah's and be miss optimist today. We'll see how it goes.