I'm Back! and a Menu Plan

(jay gatsby. gimme!)

AHHH! It's here.
2013.
A New Year. A fresh start. A clean slate.

Speaking of clean - have you ever noticed once you start...you realize just how dirty everything else is? I started wiping the kitchen drawers of fingerprints today. Then I moved to the walls. Then I realized...

EVERY WALL IN MY ENTIRE HOUSE, 3 FEET AND BELOW, IS COVERED IN KID SMUDGE!! Tell me yours is too. The more I wipe it away, the more I see it. I'm making them wear mittens in the house from now on. That's just nonsense. 

But I digress. The NEW YEAR. I don't know why, but January 1st always brings with it a burst of energy and stick-to-it-ness for me. There are variations on how I apply it and how long it lasts...but for now, it's here. And I'm enjoying it!

I'm back to running on a regular basis. I joined my friend, Marta's #43milesinJanuary challenge on Instagram and am, so far, right on track! Maybe even a mile or two ahead of schedule. It feels good. And frustrating!! It's hard to remember how fit I used to be and how faaaaaaaar I used to be able to go...but I'm okay taking baby steps back to that place. My goal is to run the PCRF half marathon on May 5th. Cinco de My ass will be FIT, or else.

I'm back to regulating this house and our lives. Menu Planning, Zone Defending and Top Sixing all over the place. Today I cleaned the kitchen SPOTLESS. Like windexed the  top of the fridge and pulled it away from the wall to clean behind and under when I mopped. Like organized the canned goods in the pantry and emptied all the burnt crumbs outta the bottom of the toaster. Like evicted the Beta fish to a water glass so I could wash his slimy rainbow rocks and de-stink his bowl. That kinda cleaned! Tomorrow is the living room. I already started washing all the couch slipcovers. Bring it.

I'm back to The Bachelor. Every season I say I'm not gonna watch. And every season I'm glued to the TV. THESE GIRLS? I mean, some of them, I just can't wrap my head around how they think getting drunk, crying, booty dancing or doing back flips across a cobblestone driveway in a floor length sequin dress...and FALLING ON YOUR FACE!...how are these good first impressions? On National TV nonetheless. Every season, they always keep at least one crazy. I was really pulling for 50 Shades of Grey girl. But no, Wedding Dress girl won. Boo. However, the opening sequence with Arie coming back to give Sean advice on how to kiss a girl = pure awesome. 

I'm back to fangirling K. Oh wait, that never stopped. I put some of my January energy to good use and made a new lock screen for my phone.

Apparently, I'm back to blogging too...
What is it you're getting back to this year?

Here's what will be on our table this week:

Monday - Tortellini soup and grilled cheese

Tuesday - Turkey kielbasa and vegetable stir fry with brown rice

Wednesday - Chili dogs and Mac & Cheese (Mom at book club!)

Thursday - Pancakes, scrambled eggs and fresh pineapple

Friday - Spaghetti & Meatballs

(I eat mine over roasted spaghetti squash and kale. Albeit, I've yet to convince anyone else in the house this is delicious.)