Leaving the SoCal sunsets behind

Yes, we are moving to Texas. Lots of mixed emotions......
1) sad - because we will leave behind great friends and the community/comfort zone we have come to know. GREAT friends, work friends, school friends, theater friends, sports friends, sigh. We will make new friends, but it won't be the same. And we will MISS the beach.
2) intimidated -New schools, new community, and new roads to travel are all pretty intimidating.
3) overwhelmed - when Collin and I moved to CA 22yrs. ago (crazy, huh?), it was just he and I with a U-haul, two cars and tablets for communicating essential things like 'I need gas', 'I have to pee, etc. Now there are six of us and a dog that need to shuffle through this transition. Moving across town is one thing; moving across the country is a whole 'nother ballgame!
4)  excited - embracing the idea of buying a house that we can make our home and getting out of this 1500sqft cracker box. Our mortgage has potential to be HALF (or more) of what our rent is......and we could maybe have a pool (for my water-loving children it's a must)......and a yard.
5) relieved - the last four years have been so tough and I'm hoping that a new job and new location is a fresh start financially. AND we will be able to road trip to visit family and not hinge our travels on six pricy airline tickets.
6) proud - proud of my husband for branching out into territories unknown. He is good at what he does and doesn't take NO for an answer. He stuck with this job search and landed a position that he is anxious and excited to start. He has worked his tail off trying to provide for our family.
7) exhausted --- and the hardwork hasn't even begun. Sooooo, many things to decide. And yet, nothing to decide until Collin gets there, settles in, and works while he explores housing options for us. When are we going (kids and I)?....no idea, maybe spring break/early April but who knows. Where are we going to live?.....no idea, looking at greater Dallas area. But I can tell you 'What's for dinner?'......look on the calendar on the fridge :)

Happy New Year!

2013.....where do I begin?
I guess I'll just jump back in to my blog and hope for the best. 18 posts in 2012, sad and pathetic. I love writing and journaling so I'm going to strive to blog more in 2013 even if I'm the only one who reads. My goals (not really resolutions) for 2013 are to take a picture a day and fill digital pages (with the help of Creative Memories!) weekly as an easy way to see how life goes, progresses, and changes over a year; get back to meal planning; and better overall healthy living including more exercise, less TV, and more sleep.

So far, I've done great with the picture a day (woot, four days, yeah!) and getting more sleep. Sleeping in helps but reality starts next week. My great start is with the meal planning......January is done. Seems like an easier goal if I only have to think about it 12 times a year, right? Here is the plan for January:

5th - chicken parmesan served with pasta, spinach salad
6th - prime rib soup with crusty rolls, tomato/mozz/pests salad
7th - red beans and rice w/smoked sausage, salad, french bread
8th - venison/beef chili, salad, corn bread
9th - ham (Christmas from freezer) with creamy mac n'cheese & peas, pan saute eggplant
10th - sloppy joes, steamed veggies
11th - ***Mom's workshop*** (out with Dad)
12th - chef salad (ham, turkey, hb eggs, cucum., grn.pepp, tomatoes, cheese, celery, bacon bits)
13th - bbq deer leg, grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes
14th - Grandma Noodles -fettucine alfredo with chicken, steamed broccoli
15th - smothered pork chops with brown wild rice blend, creamed corn
16th - chicken cordon bleu with ranch potatoes, salad
17th - leftovers, clear out fridge
18th - meatloaf (turkey/beef/venison), creamy polenta, soy beans
19th - garlicky shrimp scampi, grits, baked eggplant
20th - steak, green beans, risotto
21st - spaghetti with meatballs, salad, garlic bread
22nd - chicken pot pie, fresh cut fruit
23rd - macadamia nut chicken, green beans, pine nut couscous
24th - tilapia piccata, steamed carrots, roasted red pot.
25th - tuna patties, green beans, homemade pasta salad
26th - bbq chicken, coleslaw, baked beans
27th - shepherds pie, crusty bread, fruit?
28th - meditteranean stuffed peppers, fresh fruit
29th - chicken enchiladas, spanish rice
30th - skillet stroganoff, steamed broccoli
31st - baked potato soup, crusty bread, salad

Phew......and what makes me happiest is it's all from scratch except for the sloppy joes. I don't make that sauce. I've come A LONG way and evolved from Rice-a-roni to my own homemade rice; I'm even going to attempt to duplicate Grandma Hall's alfredo sauce. It might not be super creative or even Pinterest worthy but my kids eat it and we aren't eating out. And, best of all, it answers the nagging question (that the kids ask a million times each)....What's for dinner?

I just smile, nod, and tell them to check the list :)
Now to make my grocery list and grab my coupons......