On the Timer Today

I have a lot to do today. It's not that I've been lazy this week, I've just been lazier than I could afford to be. We'll blame that on "the screamer" (a.k.a. "Drama Girl", a.k.a. the baby) and also on being a bit sick at the beginning of the week. Be that as it may, I'm "on the timer" today. I set the timer for 15 minutes and see how much I can get done on a particular task, room clean, etc. This morning I started doing 15 minutes in the boys' room (couldn't see the floor) and after the initial 15 minutes, then a break to feed the screamer and put her down for a nap, I went back and finished most of the job (I even went through their clothes). Now they can do the rest of it after school. I'm to the point, now, that I need to empty the large laundry basket full of stuff that does not belong in their room. I hate this task. I always have. I hate this task so much that there is a large laundry basket in the hallway that is FULL of stuff that I need to take care of - and it's been there for more than a month. So.... I'm setting my timer for 15 minutes. I *WILL* empty the laundry basket from the boys' room in that time and then I will allow myself a break (maybe only 15 minutes) before tackling the next laundry basket.

And no, I haven't found the spare cell phone that has been missing for a couple of weeks. It's out of battery or else I'd just call it. I want to send it with the 12 year old when he goes to Oklahoma City tomorrow. Maybe it's in that large laundry basket. It's possible.

And yes, the laundry is going because I am bound and determined to have a folding festival tonight with the kids.

What's Cooking? Wednesday

Welcome to the ninth weekly edition of ....

I'm sorry I didn't do it last week. I just couldn't. Too much sickness, too much holiday, too many kids... too much of a good thing is still too much. But, I'm back this week and raring to go! Kind of.


During my college years I was known as "The Hamburger Helper Queen". That title continued through the early years of my marriage. Thankfully, I learned to experiment with cooking a little more and found some other types of things to cook that were quick, easy, and cheap. Having said all that, we still do have Hamburger Helper on occasion. It's quick, it's easy and it's cheap (especially if I have coupons). Two nights ago I went down to our food storage at the last minute to try to come up with something - anything - to eat that wouldn't make me ill (I'd been suffering from stress-induced "bathroom" issues all day long - I told you last week was bad). I found my stash of Hamburger Helper and remembered I had a pound of browned hamburger (instructions here). Frozen peas completed the meal (you've gotta have a protein, carb and a vegetable for a balanced meal, right?).

So, I guess that the menu "idea" for today is ... There's a time and a place for everything ... even Hamburger Helper!

(Next week I'll share my new favorite cookbook and maybe even have a guest review from my dear friend, Alice!)

(By the way, we made the oreo truffles for New Years. D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)