It'S jUst mY LiFe...

Joyful Noise - Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Starring: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Kris Kristofferson, Jeremy Jordan

Joyful Noise takes place in a small town in Georgia that’s been hit hard with economical times. The Divinity church choirmaster (Kris Kristofferson) suffers a heart attack and passes away within the first few minutes of the movie.

Photo via

What I loved most about this movie was the diverse cast. Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton are great together, can't wait to see them together again. the music was sensational. This film is full of charm and wit and plenty of upbeat music. Relationships contain dollops of wisdom and many true-to-life 'truisms,' especially between mother and daughter. What I particularly loved about this film was that the script was written without regard to size and shape, and without mention of race, creed or color between characters. My only complaint with this movie is the cursing, there was no need for the swearing at all in this movie and it made the movie go from a wonderful family movie to one I wouldn't let my child watch. My daughter is only 7 has special needs and I just don't need her repeating the cursing. I liked the honesty expressed by the son with Aspergers, played by Dexter Darden, throughout the whole film. It was really truthful and honest and I really appreciated that.

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3 1/2 out of 5 stars

The Descendants - Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Photo via

Starring: George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause

If you are looking to see a feel good movie then this is not the movie for you to see. The Descendants brings a raw, emotional and real story to life. I found the story riveting, that made me want to know what was around the next corner or in this case scene.

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The sadness of the tragedy were balanced with strength and humanity of the rest of the characters. I felt as if this could have been a family I might have known. It was really easy to relate to the story and what the family was going through.

I will admit there is some foul language on the part of the daughters but it was truly the story that grabbed me and kept me into this movie.

Photo via

"The Descendants" is a dark dramedy about the lives of a family torn apart by the death of the wife/mother. Her coma gives the family time to process, reflect, examine, investigate, and heal in a way that is real, poignant, and often funny.

Little note... remember some tissues, they will be needed as you watch this movie.

4 out of 5 stars

Get some "Snap Crackle Pop" ... into your morning

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

I have very fond memories of waking up every morning to some Kellogg's Rice Krispies. I just love how they sounded when I put milk in my bowl all the snapping, crackling and popping. I would make up songs to go along with the sound of my Kellogg's Rice Krispies.

I was invited along with other bloggers to join Kellogg's Network in Canada. Each month we will receive some Kellogg's goodness to share with our readers that being you! I was so excited to join the Kellogg's Network because we have been purchasing Kellogg's cereal in this house since the beginning of time. It has always been a staple in our house.

Opening the box from Kellogg's

This afternoon my boxed of Kellogg's goodness arrived at my door. It contained 4 boxes of cereal including my daughters favourite cereal, Kellogg's Mini Wheats (along with Frosted Flakes, Special K Oats & Honey and Corn Flakes) which she can not wait to dig into and eat our of her new Kellogg's Corn Flakes bowl. As well as Nutri-Grain Bars in NEW flavours Strawberry/Acai and Cherry/Pomegranate. I was very surprised to find a Fruit Loops t-shirt along with 2 Kellogg's corn flake bowls.

Kellogg's Network Box

Three neat facts about Kellogg's:

Eggo Waffles recently celebrated their 75th Birthday!
In 1969 Kellogg's was honoured to provide breakfast for Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins during their groundbreaking Apollo 11 voyage to the moon.
Tony the Tiger was born in 1951, but we don't think he looks a day over 40.

Opened the box that evening for bedtime snack!

For more information about Kellogg's and their products please visit www.Kelloggs.ca
What is your favourite Kellogg's cereal? Please comment below.

Disclosure: This post was written in participation with the Canada Kellogger's Network. No post was required. I was provided products without charge. All opinions are honest and those of It's just my life...

The Artist - Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Photo via

Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller

A trip back in time with another one of the nominated movies this time to 1920's with this black and white silent romantic comedy.

Photo via

Not too far into the movie I was so swept away into the story that any spoken words by the lead characters would have actually been intrusive.

The acting is outstanding in this movie and makes you appreciate how just facial expressions can convey emotion so well that you understand exactly what the actor is trying to convey. There is a top notch story line about a silent movie super star and his fall from fame and about a rising star he helps. . It is gripping, sensitive and just plain terrific. Both my daughter and I thought we were so ingrossed in the story that we actually forgot their was no words and that the movie was in black and white.

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We agreed this movie was so exceptional because it did not depend on stunts, shocking language or car crashes and shootings to hold your attention. You actually cared about the people and what happened to them because you understood them as people. We can't say that about many movies today.

I highly recommend this fabulous film!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Cook'n Recipe Organizer - Worldwide Giveaway & Review

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Do you love to cook? Do you collect recipe? Do you find then written in many different places and saved online? Well I know I can answer I do to all of the questions asked. I am very much on organization mode with it still being January and trying to get everything in one place. Cook'n Recipe Organizer is a dream come true for me.

Over the years I have tried many recipe different software programs but by far Cook'n Recipe Organizer is among one of the best I have tried out. I love the search feature and I was able to capture off of one of my favourite recipes sites allrecipes.com with ease and now I have it in my software to access all the time.

It's easy to enter your family recipes into Cook'n and organize them into categories. The Cook'n Recipe Window looks just like a recipe card and "Quick-Fill" editing does much of the typing for you! Even add recipe photos and video if you'd like.

In addition, there are many additional cookbooks available for purchase and download from the Cook’n website. I already have a few on my wish list. You can mark your favorites, create your own recipe categories, search by ingredients, by category, by cookbook or search the whole internet.

You can easily share recipe by email with your friends as they request them. The software is very user friendly. I really love the shopping list feature in Cook'n Recipe Organizer. You just choose your recipes for the week and press list and it creates a list of all the grocery items you need.

It's just my life... gets to give to one lucky reader a totally FREE copy of Cook’n (a $79.95 value). All you have to do is follow the instructions below. This giveaway will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 16, 2012. We will announce our winner bright and early on February 17th.

Press READ MORE for Rafflecopter to enter giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. http://momblogsociety.com

Midnight in Paris - Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard, Alison Pill, Adrien Brody, Kathy Bates

Photo via

When I first heard that Woody Allen had a new film coming out starring Owen Wilson I was like seriously! Well serious Woody Allen was. The teaming up of Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams which made a great team for Wedding Crashers was an even better team for Midnight in Paris. While enjoying a vacation in Paris both Gil (Owen Wilson) and Inez (Rachel McAdams) had two very different ideas on how to enjoy their Paris vacation.

Gil is a successful hollywood novelist whose true ambition was to be a novelist. While vacationing in Paris with his future inlaws and his fiance, he finds himself strolling the streets at night alone only to be transported to the 1920's. While in the 1920's he was able to converse and meet some of his favourite novelists and artists living in Paris at that time.

Photo Via

Midnight in Paris is extremely well written and I greatly enjoyed the flashbacks to the 1920's era. I can not say the portrayal of the literary greats and artists were bang on I do know enough about them that I can say they were very life like and real to me. I loved Owen Wilson as Gil in this movie and I loved it more that Woody Allen made going back to the 1920's very much part of the story and just didn't put it as Gil being crazy.

This movie is definitely worthy of winning The Critics Choice Best Original Screenplay as this movie is truly beautifully well written. Woody Allen's talent is definitely displayed in this movie and worthy of the Oscar nods it received this week.

4 3/4 out of 5 stars

The Help - Movie Review

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard,Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain

This movie is set in Mississippi during the 1960's. It centers around Skeeter Phelan (played by Emma Stone) who has just graduated from college and landed her first writing job, writing a help column in a local newspaper.

Skeeter was raised in a wealthy family by her maid Constantine. Skeeter was a woman ahead of her time .. deep in the south. She thought of Constantine as an equal and in the 1960's in Mississippi that clearly was not the case. Skeeter had a vision for a book she wanted to write and that was telling the story from the point of view of the help.

Skeeter pitched this idea to Harper Row which is where she thought her dream job would be. They loved the idea of course since the civil right movement was gaining momentum and was in the news a lot. Skeeters only obstacle would be getting the help to tell the truth and to trust her.

Photo Via

Aibileen Clark (played by Viola Davis) would be the perfect person to help her with this book because Aibileen was already helping her with the column in the newspaper. After some convincing Skeeter was finally able to get Aibileen on board with helping her write the book. Later after the book was under way Minnie Jackson (played by Octavia Spencer) joined Aibileen in helping Skeeter write the book.

via

The Help is an excellent movie that really captures the 1960's and what it was like to live in the south during this time. It is about loyalty, sisterhood and change. I highly recommend this movie. It really was an eye opener for me and it is hard to believe that even today this still exists. I say grab the kleenex box and watch a movie that will clearly move you.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Oscar Time

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:50:00 +0000

I love awards shows and when it comes to the Oscars I like to have viewed all the movies so I can decide for myself which movie was best because we all know sometimes the deserving person doesn't win the OSCAR. Here is a list of nominated movies:

Warhorse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

I have viewed three of them so far and tried to watch a fourth but couldn't get into the movie but I am going to give it another try. I will write some reviews on the movies I have seen in the next few days.

Menu Planning Monday ~ week of January 23rd

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:37:00 +0000

Planning this weeks menu means incorporating two birthdays into it and also a gluten free cake so my daughter can take part in the celebrating. Don't forget to head over to orgjunkie.com for more menu planning ideas.

Monday

Breakfast ~ Oatmeal n' yogurt (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ french toast, milk
Dinner ~ Pork Chops, Potatoes, Peas

Tuesday (Dance Night)

Breakfast ~ cereal, orange juice (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Apple covered in peanut butter and chocolate chips, juice
Lunch ~ Chicken, Noodles, milk
Snack ~ Cheese & Crackers, juice
Dinner ~ Lasagne, Salad

Wednesday

Breakfast ~ Cold Cereal (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers, milk
Dinner ~ Pasta Dish

Thursday

Breakfast ~ Yogurt, fresh fruit (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ english muffins, preserves, juice
Lunch ~ Grilled Cheese, fresh Veggies, milk
Snack ~ rice krispie squares, juice
Dinner ~ Chicken, Rice, Veggies

Friday

Breakfast ~ Bagel w' cream cheese (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Apple Sauce, Muffins, Juice
Lunch ~ Pita Pizza, Milk
Snack ~ Granola Bars, yogurt, Juice
Dinner ~ Taco Soup, Nachos

Saturday (swimming & TaeKwonDo in am)

Breakfast ~ GF waffles,Orange juice, fresh fruit (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ Meatballs, Rice, Veggies

Sunday

Breakfast ~ Muffins, Yogurt (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ ???

Snacks this week to bake:

GF rice krispies
GF Brownies

Wants Vs Needs

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:11:00 +0000

I know I have blogged about this before but for some reason lately I have been getting into more and more conversations with people on the difference between a want and a need.

want:

designer clothes
latest electronic toy
video games
toys
candy

need:

food to eat
place to live
winter coat (it's cold here)
a pair of footwear

There are times when need and want are hard to clearly define and wants can become needs depending on circumstances.

The key is to figure out your own wants and needs. All of our wants and needs are going to be different. But you do need to sit down and figure out what yours are.

Here are some helpful questions that will help you determine the difference between a want and a need:

What do I need when I wake up in the morning? Toothbrush, towel, hair brush, blow dryer, clothes, food
What do I need to get to work or school in the morning? Bus pass, vehicle
Are there things I need for work or school? Books, computer, pens

Let's give an example... you need a sweater for winter because your other one is worn out or too small. Do you need that new designer sweater for $80 you seen at the mall last week or will one for $15 do just the same and keep you just as warm. I do realize that is a difference some times in quality... I know that first hand... I usually buy our clothes from brand name stores and shy away from Big Box stores because one the quality is usually better and also the prices are better at the brand name stores if you show the sales and look for their discounts.

Prioritizing is so hard not to mention at times no fun but once you get down what you truly need vs what you want you will find life a lot simpler. I am speaking from experience. Just give it a try... sit down and make a list.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Don't forget to click on the Wordless Wednesday for others participating!

http://www.tarasviewoftheworld.com/

Life's magic is everywhere, even in the places that seem wrinkled!

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:10:00 +0000

1968 - Chatham, ON

Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder when did all those wrinkles get there? Or better yet who the heck is that looking back at me? Come on admit it. All of us at one time or another look in the mirror and wonder what happened.

In our trying to be young and youth centered culture it seems like aging is something to so taboo. Well news flash getting older is going to happen. Yep we are all going to get older every year, heck every day.. even every minute. From our first breathe we are here to experience, grow and evolve into the person we are going to be. How cool is that to look at aging that way.

I think of all the children I know and how they can't wait to get to that next year. And even I as a child couldn't wait to be 6 when I was 5 and I would daydream about blowing out those candles on my cake and how wonderful 6 would be but as we get to our 30's and 40's.. (I can only relate so far as I am 44) we want to hang on to our younger years forever. We walk in total denial that we are aging.

My parents, brother and I. 1968 - Chatham, ON

Not me! I embrace the aging process and who I am evolving to be. It wasn't until a year ago that I noticed some wrinkles... but you know... instead of getting depressed about it I looked at it like this Life's magic is everywhere, even in the places that seem wrinkled!

So I end with Happy Birthday to me.. and a few pictures from my childhood days!!! Aww those days without responsibility now that is something I could relive just for one day.

Enjoy each day and live it to the fullest!!!


1974 - London, ON

December 1985 - London, ON


2011 - My Family Photo

So Happy Birthday to all those celebrating and remember embrace who you are and how far you have come.

Chicken Enchiladas (Gluten Free)

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:29:00 +0000

Chicken Enchiladas

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cut into chunks
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (GF and homemade see recipe)
1 1/4 cups sour cream
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 (1.25 ounce) package mild taco seasoning mix
1 bunch green onions, chopped, divided
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
corn tortillas (I buy them 24 at a time) *you can use flour but we are GF here
3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce

Directions

Place the chicken in a large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the chicken pieces are no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Shred chicken by placing two forks back to back and pulling meat apart. Set the shredded chicken aside. Meanwhile, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chili powder in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, then turn off the heat and cover to keep warm.

( chicken and spices cooking)

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the shredded chicken, taco seasoning, half of the bunch of chopped green onion, and water. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the lime juice, onion powder, and garlic powder; simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Stir 1 cup of the soup mixture into the skillet with the chicken mixture. Spread the remaining soup mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.

(all in one spot for easy assembly)

Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the chicken filling before folding the tortillas, reserving half of the shredded cheese for topping the enchiladas. Fold tortillas over the filling and place seam-side down in the prepared pan.

(ready to go in the oven)

Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the enchiladas. Cover with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the reserved chopped green onions on top of the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until filling is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 25 minutes.

Or by crockpot to make things easier... you all know I am about making things easier.

I put the chicken (sometimes I even use frozen-solid breasts or thighs) in a crockpot with the taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, chopped onion and a little water in the morning.
Before assembling the chicken is easily shredded. Add Chicken back into pot.
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Stir 1 cup of the soup mixture into the skillet with the chicken mixture. Spread the remaining soup mixture on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Fill each tortilla with chicken mixture. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the chicken filling before folding the tortillas, reserving half of the shredded cheese for topping the enchiladas. Fold tortillas over the filling and place seam-side down in the prepared pan.
Pour enchilada sauce evenly over the enchiladas. Cover with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the reserved chopped green onions on top of the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until filling is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 25 minutes.

*** My family just loved these and for the record ... I make chose the crockpot option. ***

Gluten Free Cream of Chicken Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:19:00 +0000

Gluten Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup Gluten Free Magic Mix
1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
3/4 cup canned Chicken Liquid (I use homemade broth)
1/4 cup canned Chicken, chopped (I usually use baked Chicken Breast)

1). Add Magic Mix, onion powder and canned chicken liquid or chicken broth to a saucepan. Mix well.

(picture is blurry due to my stirring)

2). Turn heat to medium and stir constantly until the mixture thickens (does not take very long).

3). Fold in 1/4 cup chopped chicken.

Substitute this recipe for one can of condensed cream of chicken soup.

Gluten Free Magic Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:15:00 +0000

After hunting high and low for a condensed Cream of Chicken soup locally I decided to look for a recipe online where I could make my own and not worry about sodium and other yucky stuff in cream soups.. and make my own Gluten Free Condensed Soup.

I started with a recipe for:

Magic Mix

2 1/3 cups Dry Non-Instant Powdered Milk
1 cup Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour (Note you can use regular All Purpose if you don't need GF)
1 cup Butter, at room temperature

1). Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

(It really resembles cornmeal if you ask me)

2). Using a whisk attachment, mix ingredients together slowly at first, then gradually increase speed until incorporated.

3). Keep mix tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Here it is all jarred and ready to be stored in my fridge. I just need a label and an expiry date on it.

Menu Planning Monday ~ week of January 16th

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:25:00 +0000

Monday

Breakfast ~ Oatmeal n' yogurt (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ french toast, milk
Dinner ~ Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican Rice

Tuesday (Dance Night)

Breakfast ~ cereal, orange juice (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Apple covered in peanut butter and chocolate chips, juice
Lunch ~ grilled Cheese, carrots & celery, milk
Snack ~ Banana Cake, grapes, juice
Dinner ~ Spare Ribs, Rice, Veggies & flourless cake

Wednesday

Breakfast ~ Cold Cereal (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers, milk
Dinner ~ Hamburger Stew, Salad

Thursday

Breakfast ~ Yogurt, fresh fruit (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ english muffins, preserves, juice
Lunch ~ Chicken Noodle Soup, Crackers, Milk
Snack ~ birthday cake, juice
Dinner ~ Pork Chops, Rice, Veggies

Friday

Breakfast ~ Bagel w' cream cheese (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Apple Sauce, Muffins, Juice
Lunch ~ Pita Pizza, Milk
Snack ~ Granola Bars, yogurt, Juice
Dinner ~ Steak, Mashed Potatoes, California Veggies

Saturday (swimming & TaeKwonDo in am)

Breakfast ~ GF waffles,Orange juice, fresh fruit (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ Meatballs, Rice, Veggies

Sunday

Breakfast ~ Muffins, Yogurt (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ Pulled Pork, Salad

Snacks this week to bake:

GF Cake
GF peanut butter cookies
Birthday Cake
GF Brownies

Healthy Snack Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

As I was making my menu plan for this week... I decided to come up with a list of healthy snack choices. Some of the things I have done before and some things I want to try.. so here is a list I came up with:

celery/carrots n' dip
apple sauce
quesadillas
bread sticks
apple slices n' dip
apple slices covered in peanut butter topped with chocolate chips
english muffins n' preserves
cinnamon toast
trail mix
graham crackers
pita chips n' hummus
granola n' yogurt
bananas n' peanut butter
rice cakes
fresh fruit n' dip
cheese sticks
popcorn
animal crackers
crackers n' topping
tortilla roll ups
Pretzel sticks n' cheese
muffins
smoothies
bagels n' cream cheese

Hope these snack ideas help with creating nutritious and healthy snacks.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Center Ice at Maple Leaf Gardens now Loblaws!

Menu Planning Monday ~ week of January 9th

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:06:00 +0000

I love planning my weekly menu only bad thing is this week all I have left in my freezer is chicken. UGH.. I think I could be chickened out by the end of the week hopefully I can pick up some sales this week.

Also my menu is all made Gluten Free!!!

Monday

Breakfast ~ Oatmeal n' yogurt (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Apple with peanut butter & chocolate chips, Cereal bars (tea n' lemon crisp cookies for me)
Lunch ~ Mac n' Cheese, milk
Snack ~ Popcorn, Juice
Dinner ~ Chicken Cutlets in Pizzaiola Sauce, Carrots, Potato Wedges

Tuesday (Dance Night)

Breakfast ~ Bagel cream cheese (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ Vegetable Soup

Wednesday

Breakfast ~ Cold Cereal (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Bananas, Yogurt
Lunch ~ Salad Plate, milk
Snack ~ Apple with peanut butter & chocolate chips (request)
Dinner ~ Chicken Vegetable Bake, Salad

Thursday

Breakfast ~ Yogurt, fresh fruit (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ Lentil & Potato Pie, Veggies

Friday

Breakfast ~ (Smoothie for me)
Snack ~ Cereal Bars, Apple Sauce, Juice
Lunch ~ Pizza Pockets (not GF), Salad, Milk
Snack ~ Cheese n' Crackers, Juice
Dinner ~ Chicken Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli

Saturday (swimming & TaeKwonDo in am)

Breakfast ~ GF waffles,Orange juice, fresh fruit (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Ravioli (not GF), Salad, Milk (soup for A)
Dinner ~ Meatballs, Rice, Veggies

Sunday

Breakfast ~ (Smoothie for me)
Lunch ~ Leftovers
Dinner ~ Slow Cooker Fajitas, Rice (substitute Corn Tortillas to make GF)

Snacks this week to bake:

GF Rice Krispies
GF peanut butter cookies

Craft Bucket...

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:31:00 +0000

Well cruising Canadian Tire with my husband this weekend with my Canadian Tire cash in hand. I love Canadian Tire money.. free money for making purchases there. Seriously weren't they the first place to start this?? Anyway I love them for it.

So back to my story... while cruising the tool pouch aisle I spot the bucket tool pouch. Meaning you put the tool pouch in a bucket and viola... tools all organized. Well since I don't have that many tools to organize but I do have TONS of craft supplies for my child... why not change it into a Craft Bucket!! Brilliant I know!!!!

So for around $10.. save your Canadian Tire money.. head to CT and purchase a tool bucket pouch and turn it into a craft supply bucket.

I can't even tell you how excited my 7 year old is to dive into this bucket full of supplies and I know the kids on Monday are going to be more than excited!!!

Happy Crafting to all my friends!!!!

Fun shopping at Staples today...

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Today at Staples was Teacher Appreciation Day! Oh how I love teacher appreciation day. It means I get 15% off my purchase and 10% back in savings calculated quarterly I do believe to spend.

Anyway I didn't purchase a lot today just a few things but my order came to 88cents!!!! Talk about start the car.

That is over a 97% savings!!! Now that is a shopping trip I am really proud of.

Thank you Staples!

Start your day...

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:05:00 +0000

by getting dressed. I know for me the last few days I have been in a rut and very non-productive. When I look back at them and think what didn't I do... well I didn't get dressed early in the day. I decided I would lounge around in my jammies. Well that doesn't seem to work for me. If I am not dressed I don't accomplish much in the house or out of the house. So today I am dressed before 11am and I feel like I am ready to conquer the world. Okay... before 11am isn't good either... tomorrow I will be dressed much early but today I had to wait for my jeans to be dry before putting them on. So that is my reason for not getting dressed earlier.

Some other things that I find help me start my day off right are:

Exercising first thing in the morning
Eating a good healthy breakfast
listening to motivating music
Doing a morning devotional/reading
Make a list of things to do today

Time to get back into the groove of things and get out of my vacation mode so I can get some stuff accomplished in and around my home.

I confess... & Five Question Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:20:00 +0000

I confess... that I am munching on people chow right now (not good supposed to be eating healthy)

I confess... I broke my no pop/soda this year rule already... boo me!

I confess... that I want more snow... or snow started melting today.

I confess... that my 7 year old daughter won't go to sleep on her own and it is seriously getting to be a HUGE situation.

I confess... that I am not ready to get back to homeschooling next week.

1. What is the weather like where you are and do you like it?

We currently still have snow but it is starting to melt.. definitely not season temperatures I want more snow.

2. When you're sick what do you seek comfort from?

Tomato soup... really the only time I like to eat it.

3. What do you need to do before the end of the month?

Get my eating back on track and do my 3 on 30 list.

4. Have you ever served on a jury?

Nope... went but they turned me away.

5. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

I would love to be a lap dog just like my dog... quite the life if you ask me.

As a mom to a Special Needs Child...

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:29:00 +0000

online shopping is my favourite thing to do. I am not only a mom of a special needs child. I also homeschool my daughter so I do have limited time outside the house.

Online shopping is beyond convenient. I don't have to worry about my daughters mood changing on a dime so there fore I can complete my shopping from the comforts of my own home. It works for my lifestyle and it works for keeping things on an even balance for my daughter.

Research on a product is so much easier to do online. I can go to others I trust and get their opinions and read reviews before purchasing items and for most items I can find them online to purchase making doing cost comparison so much easier.

If you are not shopping online I would say do some research and give it a try.

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Annie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:56:00 +0000

We woke up to this Tuesday morning... first big snowfall of the winter. Loving it!!

Check out other Wordless Wednesday posts!