Leslie's Litter

Last week we went up to spend time with Sean's family, and to celebrate my awesome nephew's 3rd birthday! I am amazed how big he is getting already, and it reminds me that I need to take more time to spend with family and friends, and focus on what is truly important in our life. "Aunt Lelly, I'm Busy... I'll Kiss You when I'm Done!"

Last week my amazing husband came home and decided to take me on a date...to the zoo! The Toledo Zoo is recognized around the world, and it is absolutely one of my favorite places to spend time.  It is so peaceful to walk around and watch life happening.  I can just sit and watch the animals for hours, talking, laughing, and just spending time together. We were extremely lucky that it was such a beautiful day and it was the most active I have seen all of the animals in years!   We were lucky enough to see the new baby elephant.... The polar bear was right next to the window.... One of the Lions was Walking Around Roaring.... And My Favorite, The Sloth Bears, had their noses to the window sniffing "Hello!" All in all... an amazingly beautiful day!

Here are the top 10 things I hope to accomplish this week... 1. Spend Time With At Least One Friend, Outside of Work 2. Take Grandma to Church (Now That She Does Not Drive She Hasn't Been Able to Go) 3. Spend an Hour with My "Little" (I am hoping to make a Halloween House... I know it's a little late, but better then never!) 4. Finish Laundry, Including Towels and Sheets, Before Going on Our Mini-Vacation 5. Go To Library to Check Out a Books Financial Goals/Planning/Motivation 6.  Create 10 BzzScapes for  BzzAgent , So I am Able to Gain another Honeycomb.  (Let me know if anyone has questions on how this site works!) 7.  Wake Up Before 8 a.m. Everyday This Week.  This will help me to accomplish so much more during the day, rather then sleeping until I have to run out the door for work. 8.  Put together Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly Goals for Myself and My Surveys. 9.  Update Monthly Budget and Holiday Budget, and Update Survey Earnings ...

My main goal this week is to learn to be better at making and reaching goals.  I always plan to do something, but then I get lazy or side-tracked.  I need to be more accountable for my actions (and non-actions), as well as realize that this is the only life I get and that I need to use my time wisely...loving family, visiting friends, and making the most of every day.

Here is a copy of the Cheese Soup recipe from my mother-in-law, with a few tweaks that I used to make dinner earlier this week...and it turned out delicious!  We ate with grilled cheese sandwiches one night, and crescent rolls the next! 1 1/2 Quarts Water 4 Cubes Chicken Bouillon  2 1/2 Cups Cubed Potatoes 1 Cup Celery 1 1/2 Cups Carrots 1/2 Cup Onions Boil for 20 Minutes, or Until tender Add the Following Ingredients and Boil an Additional 10 Minutes 2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup 2 1/2 Cups Broccoli 2 1/2 Cups Cauliflower Finally, Stir in 1 lb. Velveeta, Cut Into Cubes, Until Melted. Serve Warm and Enjoy!   But Remember... Don't Let the Bottom of the Soup Burn From Sitting Too Long!

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There are so many things that I love about the holidays, but here are a few of the extra-special things that put me in holiday mood.... *Dining Gift Card Specials*      I love stocking up on dining gift cards because you can get so many good deals,  including free gift cards, coupons, or free meals! *The Gift of Giving* I love giving to charity, but more then anything I love to be able to shop for charity.  I enjoy giving something  instead of just money. *Coupons, Coupons, Coupons* 20% off, Buy One Get One, Free Frosting When You Buy the Cake Mix! Any type of coupon makes me happy because I can use them to get even better gifts for family and friends, without going over budget! And Last, but Certainly the Craziest.... *The Red Starbucks Cup* I don't know what it is, but every year the Red Starbucks Cup brings  a smile to my face, and reminds me that the holidays are quickly approaching,  and to cherish these...

This week has already been changed around again and again from my husband being in town, to leaving, to coming home early, to leaving again, so the menu plan has been changing, but that is the great thing about having food in the pantry & freezer! Since I didn't get around to making "Cheese" Soup last week, I made it last night.  While it was an interesting batch of ingredients, it turned out to be quite delicious!  I will post my version of the recipe tomorrow! This week we plan to eat at work everyday for lunch, or to finish up leftovers from the fridge, so even less menu planning! For dinners I am making the following: Taco Salads "Cheese" Soup Loaded Nachos Steamed Vegetables and Crescent Rolls (My husband can live on vegetables alone!) This month is busy at work, and I am having company this weekend, and traveling next weekend so I won't be doing any freezer cooking for a little while, but I am hoping to do a few large freezer cooking s...