girly topics

[chestnutcurls]

This is not the best day. I was doing fine until my lunchtime conference call ran a little too long, and then I couldn't eat my lunch because more people kept calling me. Then I had to go to the mall to buy cards, and also dropped by Petite Sophisticate to visit the polka-dotted skirt I've been visiting for six months. It had finally been marked down to a sane price, and with the extra 25% off and the giftcard I've been saving since Christmas, it only cost me $15. You'd think I'd be ecstatic (and I am, it's beautiful and will last forever), but then I passed by Bath & Body Works and saw the Giant Sale that's going on. Huge bottles of bath products for $6! Unfortunately, finances are a big issue for me these days and I shouldn't buy unneeded bath products, no matter how cheap they are. So then I was in a bad mood. I'm so materialistic. What is wrong with me?

Also, I really wanted McAlister's for dinner, but Ryan's not coming over tonight. I feel wasteful eating out by myself, when I could sit at home and eat a bowl of broccoli. I've eaten bowls of vegetables for the last two nights, though. I want real food. Which brings me to another frustration: my complete lack of motivation to cook. Very rarely do I make dinner for my boyfriend; he comes over after work and makes himself a sandwich or something. I feel like I'm failing as a woman. By now I should have mastered of all his favorite recipes and be inventing new ones myself. :P But meat is expensive, and I don't have time to go buy the food and cook it and clean the whole kitchen when I'm done. I'm in for a rude awakening in a few weeks when Kathy is gone.

I'm also realizing that Kathy will be gone in a few weeks, and who knows when I'll even see her. No more trips to the store together or doing Pilates together or playing with the cat. I'm excited about being on my own again, but I'm finally starting to get sad about the end of our seven years together. Talk about the end of an era.

On a positive note, I am reading a great book that I think all women should read: Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. I'm getting so much out of it, I might get a copy for my mom.

Comments

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're not having the best day. Couldn't you get some bath products since you're foregoing McAlister's?

You shouldn't be hard on yourself for not doing all that work to cook for Evan. Jonathan always offered to pick up the groceries and he did the dishes for me, too. Maybe you could see if Evan would like to do you a favor and pick up this or that so you can make him dinner?

I should maybe check out that book.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

You should DEFINITELY check out the book. I've been meaning to tell you about it before this, because I've already thought of you several times while reading it.

That's a good idea, but he's so tired already. I hate to ask him to do things. It might be setting a good precedent for the future if I started to, though. :P :)

Hmmm...good point on the bath products. :)

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Yes, but aren't you so tired as well? Jonathan would drive all the way to Yuba City and still want to pick up groceries and do my dishes. He even offered to cook, too! Yes, I was spoiled. Anyway, it's up to you, but it's a thought, if you really are wanting to cook more. :) You may be surprised--Evan might really want to help in that way!

[mrszoid.livejournal.com]

I find it's hard to use up what I buy at the grocery store before it goes bad - I wish someone would make half-size loaves of bread, for example.

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

Blue Bunny does. Are you in Memphis? I think the old person grocery by the colonial area Target sells them.

[mrszoid.livejournal.com]

Nope - I'm in Nashville - but I'll look around - thanks!

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

oops, Blue Bunny is ice cream isnt it?! Anyway, its the "Bunny" of some sort bread, whatever it's official name is...

[mrszoid.livejournal.com]

That's allright - I had in mind what you were talking about - Bunny Bread. :-)

[krikketgirl.livejournal.com]

Take half of the loaf out and put it in a freezer Ziploc bag and freeze it. It'll keep for a couple of weeks, at least; just set it out for a couple of hours to thaw it.

[mrszoid.livejournal.com]

I would need it to last over a month, but I'll try that.

[aftondays.livejournal.com]

Dude! You and me both. My husband and I rarely finish a loaf before it nears the molding point (at which time I usually freeze it in hopes that someday it will come in handy for a recipe that calls for bread crumbs, or bread pudding, or something).

[mrszoid.livejournal.com]

Ah - bread crumbs - good thinking - I'll keep that in mind.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't have that problem with bread. I keep it in the refrigerator and it lasts forever! I do have problems with vegetables, though. They ALWAYS go bad before I can use them up.

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

Here's an easy "homemade" recipe:
Pasta (shape of your choice) or Meat Ravioli (if you want meat)
Jar of Prego (I like it cause it's the least chunky)
lots of cheese
Cook pasta, heat up sauce.
In oven safe individual dishes (I have some small round corningware ones)
Layer - sauce, pasta, cheese, repeat till dish is full
Bake until melted together & bubbly.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Wow, that sounds tasty. :) It's not exactly low-fat, though, and that's my problem. It's exhausting trying to eat healthy, especially when your man can eat whatever he wants.

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

well, mozzarella can be part skim i/o whole milk and you could get some of the 2% cheddar to mix w/it.
one thing I don't skim on is my cheese!!

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Amen to that! Low fat cheese just isn't worth it. Except, like you said, mozzarella is already pretty low-fat. :)

[joyfulgal.livejournal.com]

I saw your comment and decided to try to make that tonight (with a few alterations) and it was delicious! Thanks for the suggestion, my whole family enjoyed it :-)

[stacye13.livejournal.com]

Cool! My hubby does most of the cooking - he's just better at it than me. But when we're feeling lazy or "cheesy", that's what we cook. Sometimes it's hard working things for just 2, hence the indv. size dishes!

[jeffholton.livejournal.com]

You don't have to pick up the phone.

I check my voicemail messages once a week...only because the box is full.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

I don't have to pick up the phone for what?

[jeffholton.livejournal.com]

When it rings.

[angelic-1.livejournal.com]

It can be annoying and make one feel like less than a woman when they don't do all the cooking and waiting on their partners but honestly he doesn't love you for that so don't let it get to you. Remember you have busy days too.
I feel like I fail when I cook Geoff a basic meal or get him to do the cooking but really he doesn't care - it is just me who cares too much and then I beat myself up for it. This is not a good thing so you shouldn't so it either!

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

:) Thanks for relating. I know he won't stop loving me or anything if I don't cook, but I want to take better care of him.

[angelic-1.livejournal.com]

Yeah I know that feeling too. It is best not to start with the big picture but with little pictures - little goals - once you achieve those you can work your way up.

[mszimbolist.livejournal.com]

that book sounds really, really interesting and relevant. Wow. I should add it to my short list. Thanks for the recommendation!!!!!

I'm sure you're really going through a hard time with Kathy leaving. I've seen my sister's roommates really struggling with this (I'm close with all of them), and I can only imagine.

I understand feeling so materialistic, too. Sometimes I just get truly depressed over my wardrobe, or that I don't have enough coffee mugs, or something! It's so ridiculous; how fast can I have forgotten what I saw in Mexico? We are filthy rich, all of us. But.. there's always MORE to have. I'll pray for you about this... I can really relate to the struggle and am afraid of what I might be like when I REALLY have money-problems.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Thanks Molly. :) You're nice.

Yeah, mission trips are always really eye-opening, money-wise. It's too bad those lessons don't stick with me. :P

[laraemily.livejournal.com]

So, your day any better today?

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yeah, much better already! I have fun activities planned today and I'm wearing my new skirt. :D Thanks!

[prncsssevo.livejournal.com]

Ooh ooh...I LOVE Petite Sophisticate AND Bath and Body. I can never afford anything in PS though. I've been to the outlets in Pigeon Forge a few times before though and have gotten some things on sale there. And dude, keep me away from B&BW, cuz...yeah...I'll go nuts! LOL!

Hey, nothing wrong with wanting to look/smell nice! :-)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can only get PS stuff on sale, too! This skirt was originally $90, I think. How ridiculous is that? You do get more quality for your money, though. I'm starting to prefer investing in some nicer clothes that will last, instead of going on tank-top sprees at Old Navy all the time. :)

[prncsssevo.livejournal.com]

90$ IS a bit ridiculous...but I agree...I like getting clothes that I know are going to last! :-)

[anulyra.livejournal.com]

I'm going to need to see this shirt, you've been talking about it for sooo long. ;)

What is real food? Meat? Bread? Cheese? Tell me?
I know what you mean about shopping, cooking and then cleaning. I don't do a good job of it now, I can only imagine what it will be like when I have a needy little boob sucker. LOL!