Turkey & Black Bean Enchiladas

So this isn't the most attractive food photo I've ever seen, but it is deceptive! Remember how I said I love Gina's Skinny WW Recipes? This is one of them. Those who have known me for years may seriously wonder how or why I, of all people, would try this dish, but I did, and I don't regret it! I used whole wheat tortillas, black beans, extra lean ground turkey, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cilantro, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, and Weight Watcher's Mexican style cheese, just to name some of the ingredients. I also made the sauce from scratch--something I've never tried before!

Other than being a tad spicy, I really enjoyed these! If I remember right, they are 8.5 pts per enchilada, and I only had one, with some lowfat beans. (I was trying to make up for the meal disaster I had earlier at Rafferty's!) Hubby really liked them as well, and Lovely at half of one, while Snugglebug picked at her's, but what can you expect? I only started eating like this once I passed age 25...no, wait, I'm still 25, aren't I? If I am, this has been the longest year of my life!

Happy eating!

Rafferty's

I had planned to go to Kroger and my favorite, Whole Foods, today, along with one of the libraries.  I had planned to go early in the morning, so I wouldn't have to slave in the heat.  I had PLANNED, you see.

Then, I heard this strange beeping in my dream...it was incessant...I mean, it just wouldn't stop; and so, I woke up around 1:30 a.m., only to find the power had gone out and our phones were out of charge, which caused them to beep.  After dismantling them both in the dark, I remembered Hubby's handy-dandy miner's light that attaches to a headband/hat, and used that to call the electric company on the only phone that's actually attached to a wall. Finally, I went back to bed, only to discover "no's" still running through my head, and so I couldn't sleep...for a long, long while.

This is my long excuse for waking up at 8:50 a.m. instead of 7 as I had planned.  After dragging the kids out of bed, I dropped them at Mom's and went to Kroger...hi ho, hi ho, groceries cost a fortune, don't you know... Sorry, don't you break into song in the middle of your thoughts, as well? 

After that, I picked the girls up and Mom, headed to the library, only to find people in line ahead of me AGAIN to get the summer book points calculated.  (Why can't I ever be at the head of the line, just the end?!) 

Then, we headed to one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Rafferty's.  I tried to be good, I really, really did.  I ordered a grilled chicken wrap.  And then I came home and looked up the nutritional value on the computer:  711 calories, 2.63 grams of fiber, and....dum dee dee duummm...28.59 grams of fat!  ACK! I was afraid of that!  So, any suggestions for ordering better at that restaurant that is still tasty? 

I printed out a bunch of recipes for this week from my favorite, Gina's Skinny WW Recipes (I LOVE that woman for creating such a YUMMY site).  Therefore, I spent more on groceries, but at least I'm making an effort to eat healthy the rest of the week.  Now, if only I could find time for exercise...

Lovely Comment

Last night, Lovely kept telling me I was the best mommy in the whole world.  She was doing so in order to earn more marbles (her currency), so the last time she told me this, I finally asked her why I was the best mommy in the whole world.  Her response:

"Because God is with you." 

That just melted my heart!

Finding Motivation

I admit, it's been difficult to find motivation of late.  It seems June has been busier than the rest of the year for one reason or another.  Now, I'm just a little more fearful of August! 

I hope July calms down a bit--I've had something going each week in June.  This morning was the garage sale, where I didn't make a fortune, but at least I made up some of the money I've spent on homeschool supplies!  lol  I got up extremely early for me (5:30 a.m.), and now I'm just wondering how on earth I can find motivation to get up early everyday (well, not THAT early..but earlIER). 

Last night was the homeschool meeting, and I volunteered to be secretary since no one else wanted the position and I knew I should be good at it since the Lord has given me skills that help with organization, listening, writing, etc.  (I was an administrative/office assistant/secretary for about eight years.)  However, there were still a couple people who would rather have no secretary than me...which simply baffles me.  Honestly, I am so tempted to resign because I don't want to make anyone unhappy, and yet I know that would be letting others down, and I don't want to do that, either.  Unfortunately, an analogy to my last job comes to mind...some students loved my classes, but there were always a couple who felt..."unhappy" with me.  It was easy to write those opinions off, but this is much harder to deal with, probably because I feel anyone who is willing to honestly help the kids and help the group and who has prayed about the decision to take such a role should be supported....but I better stop rambling!  I have a birthday party to attend...and a present to buy before I get there!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! 

To Master or Not to Master...

I had all but given up on getting my MA in English. I had decided a little while ago to drop the classes I am scheduled to take this fall because I didn't want to go into more debt, and I just wanted to be mommy for a change. Then I get an email out of the blue.

I had applied for a graduate teaching assistant position last January and thought, "If I'm supposed to be in school next year, I'll get it." Positions came and went without a call to me, so I thought I must not be meant for that job. Then, I got an email two days ago, asking if I was still interested because they want to make me an offer. I said yes and asked for the details, knowing I would have to discuss with hubby first and pray on it. Here's the 'good' gist:

• 20 hrs/wk, probably working in the Writing Center
• Up to 24 credit hours of tuition PAID
• Health insurance for me PAID
• Stipend PAID (which alone is more than I made slaving the ENTIRE YEAR at BMC last year)
• I could be finished by next May
• Great for a resume and I could then apply to just about any college to teach (including online universities, etc. so I could work from home), not to mention I could say the name of where I worked and people would know where I was talking about.
• More experience
• Bills could be paid
• Improvements could be made to the house so we can put this baby up for sale next spring/summer
• I'd be working mostly during hubby's slow season

'Bad' gist:

• 20 hrs/wk away from my fam
• I must take 3 classes at a time--more time away from fam
• Stress
• MUCH harder to homeschool (I would have to start now and go through part of next summer, which is doable)
• No freedom to just work on projects (like the aprons and necklace I'm making now)
• Say good-bye to a clean house

I have to decide and get the contract back to them by May 22nd. Pray for me!

Not a Morning Person

Each weekend, I go over my weekly schedule. I have finally come to grips with the reality that I cannot wake up early. I know I should, I know it would be good for me, but it just doesn't happen. So, my goal has been to wake up by 8 a.m. Sadly, I couldn't even accomplish that today!

Hubby had an all-nighter installation job last night, so he didn't get home until after 5 a.m. I, of course, couldn't sleep well without him and actually put off going to sleep...until 3 a.m.! I used to stay up that late all the time as a teenager, but here's the news: I'm not a teenager anymore! Yikes! Anyway, the schedule is blown for today, but I have been eating pretty well-- with the exception of the yummy strawberry bread I made for OAMC. I have no idea how bad it is for you, but it is oh so good! lol

Lost Count

I tried counting points yesterday, but to no avail. I hate figuring out how many points each ingredient is in something I make. Plus, I did really well all day, until evening when hubby got home and started eating chips...ughh!

Anywhoo, I'm finding this evening a little more difficult to remain positive on things...ever feel misunderstood? LOL Maybe I'm reverting to being a teenager again! Now, if only I could weigh what I weighed as a teenager! I'm thinking Facebook should be removed from my computer right now, though--I was majorly misunderstood and I simply don't feel like explaining myself. Perhaps old age has set in? lol Wow, I'm bouncing all over the age spectrum!