The Nelson Narrative

Yesterday we went up north to Mount Vernon to take my dad out for his 86th birthday, which is the 26th.  Last year at this time we had planned a big family party at a restaurant for his 85th, but it of course got cancelled because of COVID.  So we have only seen him and my step-mom a few times since Christmas of 2019, so it was so nice to see them and visit and go to dinner.  We went to the Olive Garden because the girls love that place and we don't have one very close to us, so we often go there when we are up there visiting family.  I didn't take any pictures--I'm kicking myself for that now.  I really need to have more picture of them and the girls together.  I have a few but not many, and most of them are from several years ago. Today was just a typical Sunday of errand-running and grocery shopping.  I finally got the girls a new shower curtain for their bathroom (I've been wanting to since we had the painting done back in November).  It's jus...

One day I will post something besides my boring menu plans but until then: Monday - Creamy Chicken Corn Chowder .  I kind of got out of my routine of having a crock pot meal every Monday so time to get back to that, although once spring is in full swing and we're getting close to summer, the crock pot will probably go on hiatus until Fall.  But meanwhile, this looks so good and I've been wanting to try it for a few months now.  Can't wait to try it. Tuesday (or maybe Wednesday) - Hello Fresh Honey Thyme Pork Tenderloin Wednesday (or maybe Tuesday) - Hello Fresh Salsa Verde Chicken Thursday - Turkey Tostadas Friday - either take-out, pizza or spaghetti Saturday - First game night in about a year.  Were just going to have a bunch of appetizer-type stuff from Trader Joe's and maybe some salad Sunday - Dinner at the in-laws (meatballs) for Paul's birthday

I missed last week's menu plan post, and I screwed up the one before.  The two Hello Fresh meals I posted the week before were actually last weeks meals, and the week before should have been Beef and Cheese Tostadas and Crispy Buffalo-spiced Chicken.  Oh well. So this week we are getting three Hello Fresh meals, because I just couldn't narrow it down to two, and figured why not just make the planning and cooking for the week that much easier.  So here we go: Monday - Not sure yet but probably chicken enchiladas Tuesday - Hello Fresh Zucchini Pomodoro Penne Bake Wednesday - no special menu for St. Patrick's Day, just Hello Fresh Cheesy Smothered Mushroom Chicken Thursday - Italian Pepper Steak Sandwiches Friday - Take-out Saturday - Taking my dad out for his 86th birthday (his birthday is the 26th) Sunday - Like usual, I haven't planned that far ahead

It was one year ago today that kids in our state and probably other places went to school in person for the last time.  I was sitting in a meeting when I got the notification.  Most of my co-workers were already working from home, but a few of us were still coming in at least a few days per week.  Me and a few co-workers were in a conference room in a meeting with other co-workers online when the message came across our phones.  We knew it was coming so me and another co-worker with kids in the same school district kind of looked at each other thinking, "aaaaaaand there it is...".  At that point, most of the people who were still coming into the office no longer did, except for me for a few more weeks, but as of the 23rd I was finally fully remote. It was originally going to be for 6 weeks. Then it was going to be for the rest of the school year.  Then it going to be for at least the first 6 weeks of the new school year.  Then it was, "we have no clue,...

Before I get into my goals for March, let's recap how I did with February's: 1.  Lose 3 pounds.  Well, I got the 3 pounds right, but instead of losing 3, I gained 3 (well, 2.8).  But I've already re-lost 2.6 of that since Monday.  I had fallen of the Intermittent Fasting wagon as of late as well as just any weight loss effort at all, but I finally got back on track this week.  2.  Finish books #2 and #3 and read #4.  Did this . 3.  More exercise.  I think I did a little more than usual, but still not as much as I'd like. 4.    Purge and organize two more areas.  I kind of forgot this was a goal for the month.  I knew it was on my running project list, but forgot I had made this goal for February. 5.  Get our new mirrors and curtains hung in the living and dining rooms.  We got the living room curtains hung, but not the mirrors or the dining room curtains.  On the list for this weekend. Now on to March: 1....

Not sure how much longer I'm going to keep doing these weekly menu posts but it's a good way for me to stay on top of meal planning and make sure I actually do it, because otherwise the girls end up eating way too many chicken nuggets and pizza, and/or we end up spending way too much on Chipotle and Thai food. Monday - Taco Soup Tuesday - Hello Fresh Salmon in a Creamy Dijon Chive Sauce Wednesday - Hello Fresh Beef Bulgogi Bowls Thursday - Chicken Stir-fry with Soba Noodles in a Peanut Sauce.  This was on the menu a few weeks ago but I never actually made it.  Friday - probably take-out Saturday - again, probably Spaghetti.  I've said this the last two Saturdays but we keep not having it. Sunday - maybe Yellow Curry Chicken, like usual I'm not really sure yet.