Food | BulgingButtons

January 5, 2014
by BulgingButtons 14 Comments

2014 Kickoff – I’m Back!

Just rolled in last night from nine days of R and R. Peace and quiet. Sun and sand. Tours and tropics. Food and beverages. Love and laughter. Just got back from an amazing trip to Hawai’i. That place is unreal.

I actually slept right through the transition from 2013 to 2014. It was a busy day on our trip, and the three of us were in bed by midnight central time. That’s okay, I can have champagne any time I want.

Right now I’m dealing with a teenager who is having trouble coping with the time difference (tomorrow his dad gets to wake him for school, glad I won’t be there for that), a bunch of laundry, and the harsh realization that tomorrow the party’s over. It’s back to work and school and routine. As always, there’s too much to be done, but now I have a more relaxed outlook. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Most of the trip was spent on a cruise. I loved it. It did make me think about certain things, like how to live in a small space. My home is a mansion compared to the stateroom that I shared with my mother and son for the past week, but we were quite comfortable and had what we needed for the situation.

I have so many other thoughts swirling through my head, but I can’t write much more now. I have to go drag the boy out of his nice warm bed so he can get ready to go to his dad’s. Then real life begins, with some meal planning, shopping for decent food (there is currently canned cheese in my house, this isn’t good, my sweetheart needs nutritious food too), and last minute school work.

I hope your 2014 has begun well with reasonable expectations, a positive attitude, and hope for a bright future.

December 25, 2013
by BulgingButtons 17 Comments

A Gear Called Overdrive

Too Late For That! Maybe next year I’ll read the multi-part series that promises sanity.

It’s time. I can’t put it off one more minute (but I am by blogging). I MUST finish what I started. Company is coming, the turkey has to go in the oven, and that kitchen is not going to clean itself up. It’s time for OVERDRIVE!

My dear friends, I must tear myself away from the computer, pull out the cooking and cleaning supplies, and get to it. I HATE this feeling. I HATE that I procrastinate. I do it all the time, and it causes me so much stress and negativity. I’m not a negative person. I don’t need the stress.

If only I had used the tips for a Stress Free Christmas!

“It’ll all get done,” are words that fall from my lips far too often. The thing is, it does. Mostly. But it doesn’t get done with the same quality that I might prefer. Take my health. Sure, I’ll lose the weight. Someday. Surely it won’t be today with the menu I have planned, unless I forego everything but the green beans. And exercise? It’ll happen. Eventually. Sheesh.

I can’t spend too much time mentally beating myself up. It interferes with overdrive mode. Positive self talk is far more effective. Now I’m off to do all that must me done. Merry Christmas all! And may you have a happy, healthful, peaceful, and restful celebration.

December 24, 2013
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

Santa Makes Me Feel Like a Slacker

Next to me, my fiance’s computer set up so that we can keep tabs on Santa as he makes his journey around the world. A short while ago he was in Zimbabwe, now he’s in Serbia headed for Hungary. Santa has a job to do and he gets it done. In spades. Maybe his list is what helps him.

I have a list too. It’s about a mile long and filled with things I ought to be doing. I have company coming tomorrow. I have a trip planned (more about that in the future). There is cleaning and cooking and wrapping and packing to be done. Yet for some reason I can’t quite make myself do it. I’m overwhelmed. I want to shut down. I want to sit on the couch with a steamy mug of cocoa and watch White Christmas. Under a blanket. With my dog. And my sweetheart. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

The ought to do list is too much. I have to simplify. I need to be kind to myself. My family will be fine if I do, or they won’t. The happy people won’t care, and the grumpy people will find fault regardless, so I might as well calm down about it.

Here are the must do’s:

1. Pack

2. Set up the guest room

3. Clear off the kitchen table

4. Wrap gifts

5. Finish cleaning the main bathroom (i.e. son’s bathroom- ew)

Here are the should do’s:

1. Bake

2. Wash the floor

3. Fold and put away laundry

4. Set the table from tomorrow

5. Work on schoolwork (always schoolwork)

You already know the want to do’s, but there are more:

1. Nap

2. Play Candy Crush Saga

3. Read

4. Sip cocoa

5. Watch Christmas movies, on the couch, under a blanket, with my dog, and my sweetheart

Maybe I can find some balance? Do a must do, followed by a want to do, followed by another must do, then an ought to do? Mind boggling. Here goes, I have to do something, those lists aren’t going to take care of themselves, and I don’t have an army of elves to help. Ho ho ho, away, I go.