Dead computers, meal plans, and snow. Oh my!

Our computer decided to lay down and die, for no apparent reason (D, of course, blames me). This of course, is driving me batty. I am blogging right now from my mom's house. When I was a teenager, the parents being out of town led to plans of debauchery, now I am just happy to be able to come over and do my laundry, and use the computer.

So, because the computer failed me last week, I didn't post a meal plan. We had a pretty tasty week too. Just in case you care, or are looking for new ideas, our meals last week were: Swedish Meatballs over farfalle pasta, curry rice soup, cajun chicken quesadillas, and spanish rice casserole. We ate pizza downtown on Tuesday night, before going to see Sesame Street Live (it was great!).

This week on the menu:
Monday: Chicken alfredo and garlic toast
Tuesday- Pork chops, rice, green beans
Wednesday- Cajun catfish, cauliflower, and garlic mashed potatoes
Thursday- Chicken, broccoli and rice skillet
Friday- Tacos (per Diva's request)

Diva and I are on vacation this week, I do not have a migraine (so far), and we have no house guest, unlike our February break. I am enjoying my time with Diva, she is such an amazing (and exhausting) girl. We spent the whole day outside yesterday enjoying a beautiful sunny day. Today, it is snowing. Yes, a few short days away from May, and it is snowing big, wet, sloppy flakes. Thank goodness for the library, lunch at the mall, and our plan to bake this afternoon. Let's hope we get a little more sunshine and warm weather soon!!!

Have a marvelous week!

Diva live on tv!

Diva was live on the local morning news this morning to promote our local Relay for Life. I am one proud mama!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli
Tuesday-Chicken and yellow rice bowls.
Wednesday-Ribs, corn, rice
Thursday-Shepherd's Pie
Friday- Chicken breasts, green beans, rice, and gravy. (No date night after all!)

Enjoy the week!

Random on a Saturday Morning

*I have been having a busy, stressful week. It's that time of the year where I try desperately to find a classroom teaching position. I have been tweaking my resume, and writing essays until the cows come home. I keep telling myself this is my year to get back in the classroom, and then I psych myself out. I am working on dropping the psych myself out part.

* This has been the lowest maintenance hair week Diva has ever had. I got 3 whole days out of her twist out, then 3 days of ponytails on her twisted out hair. The Darcy's Botanicals curling jelly has been like a miracle in a jar, keepin her curls looking fresh.

* I talked to my mother-in-law on the phone yesterday (it was her birthday), and was reminded of how much I miss her living close by. When we lived in Florida, she was my mom away from mom. I feel blessed to have such an amazing mother-in-law!

*Today Diva has dance class (the highlight of her week), and the rest of the weekend is unplanned so far. It feels nice to not have a jam packed weekend.


Enjoy your weekend, whether it be busy or laid back!!!

Diva's Easter hair and flair

I took Diva's two strand twists out for Easter Sunday,and we were all please with the results. Diva looked precious in her polka dotted dress, but of course she had to add her own personal touch with a pair of sunglasses from her collection. She was her usually posing self all day long.

Meal Plan Monday

Here it folks:

Monday- Goulash, salad, garlic toast
Tuesday- Salsa Chicken in the crockpot (love, love, love this!)
Wednesday-Beef Stroganoff
Thursday- Bbq chicken in the crockpot, cheesy mashed potatoes, broccoli
Friday- Pork chops (marinated in something), rice, green beans

A beautiful Saturday, and two strand twists

Saturday here in Vermont was ridiculously beautiful. We're talking sunshine and 80 degree weather, a rariety in early April here. When we got out and about, it was shocking to see so many people out walking, biking, etc. You forget other people live here when everyone is hunkered down for the bitter cold winter.

I wanted Diva to have a twist out for her Easter hair style, so Saturday morning I did two strand twists all over her head. This was the first time I had done twists all over, and I must say I LOVE THIS HAIR STYLE. It took us about two hours to complete. I recently bought some new hair products, and after conditioning Diva's hair with Darcy's Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Conditioner, I detangled her hair and got to work. Detangling was super easy after using the pumpkin seed conditioner. I love this stuff! I used the DB Madagascar Vanilla Styling Creme to do Diva's twists. The styling creme is another big hit here in the Blitenotwhack househould. I'm just loving these products and can't wait to try more!

While I was twisting Diva's hair, I had an emotional moment. Diva turned her little head toward me and said, "I want to watch you do this Mommy, so that someday when I have a little girl, I will know how to do her hair just like you do mine." Ack, I get teared up just typing that. Call me a dork if you will, but something about that just really got to me. It lets me know that deep down somewhere, Diva is learning about the love and importance I place on taking good care of her hair. As a biracial woman, Diva's hair will play a large part in her self image. I strive for it to be a positive one. I love her natural hair, and I want her to love it too!!

The twists got rave reviews all day long. I wasn't sure whether to feel insulted or flattered when people assumed she got her hair done at a salon. (I went with flattered!). Stay tuned for pics of her Easter Sunday twist out. We will definitely be rocking twists again soon!!


A back view of her twists

I love the confidence in this picture

I promise you she's not sad here, just being her usual dramatic self

Super Easy Hair Style

Because I work full time, and Diva plays hard, many of the hair styles I do on her hair start with 4 parts. Once I have done the work of parting, I can use the parts as a starting point and change things up throughout the week. This hair style is done by starting with 4 braids. I then take the bottom braids and bring them up to the front of the top braids, attaching them to the top hair elastics. Then, I take the top braids, and hook them in the back. I like to use a colorful knocker, but you can really dress this hairstyle up or down depending on the accessories you use.