First Day of School!

Today is Hannah’s first day at her new University.  She could not be more excited.  Her books were ordered weeks ago, her school supplies at the ready.  I am so happy that she’ll be at a school where kids actually like to learn.

Community college is kind of like what we called it when I was younger – high school with cigarettes.  Most of the students Hannah went to school with went there because they didn’t have a choice.  We opted for her to go to community college as a cost effective way to get her general education credits out of the way.

I am sad because I usually take a first day of school picture, and this is the first year I won’t be able to do that, so I re-post her first school picture in kindergarten.  She was growing out her bangs and I had her hair pulled back – it looked really cute.  The photographer however, gave each kid a comb, and even though she thought she didn’t need to use it, felt obligated since he gave it to her.  So we got a nice picture of how long her bangs were!

I was a horrible student.  I didn’t particularly like long projects, like my junior theme.  I don’t even remember the topic, but my Dad loved the topic so much he actually wrote a theme.  He asked me to read it and I loved it so much I turned it in as my own – he got a B+!

The only time I did good in school was when I was on a sports team – you had to maintain a B average and not miss any classes or get any detentions, otherwise you didn’t get to play.

Spring of my junior year I was a bit “lax” about going to certain classes.  Turns out my boyfriend had lunch 4th period when I had Spanish, so it was hit or miss if I would go to that class.  He had study halls the last two periods, so computers and English were hit or miss too if I went.

A letter got sent home saying I was failing some classes.  My Dad scheduled a  meeting with all my teachers and Dean.  At 7:30 in the morning, my Dad told all my teachers and Dean that he thought I wasn’t being challenged enough – basically he thought I was too smart and just bored.

I’ll never forget it when the Spanish teacher stood up and said “If your daughter showed up to class once in a while, maybe we could teach her something she doesn’t already know.”

My Dad’s face fell.  For the rest of the semester (this was February!) I had to sign in and out of each class, each teacher had to sign off that I did my homework/projects, etc.  I ended up on the honor roll by the end of that semester.

I found that I had a Jimmy Dean breakfast bowl in the deep freeze – who even knows how long its been in there, but it was delicious – especially topped with my grilled cherry salsa and a sliced apple.  Breakfast comes in at 312 calories, 8 fat, 38 carbs, 5.3 fiber and 22 protein.

I ran to the grocery store at lunch – its grilling Friday at my office.  I am making chili hot dogs, apple coleslaw, and I made small peanut butter cookies to make mini ice cream sandwiches.  I had planned on having a taco salad for lunch, but when I went to my veggie drawer in our basement fridge, almost all of it was frozen.  So when I was at the store, I got about $3 of greens and veggies for my taco meat.

I didn’t realize until after I downloaded my picture, that you really can’t see the goodness in this salad – mixed baby greens, carrots, tri colored peppers, some cheddar cheese, cucumbers.  My salad dressing was 1/4 cup of my salsa mixed with 1 tablespoon of ranch dressing – so delicious and filling – 411 calories, 26 fat, 4 carbs, 2.2 fiber and 37 protein.

For some reason, I failed to look at the weather forecast this week.  These cool mornings lately have already switched my brain to fall weather and comfort food.  When I left the office, it was 93 degrees!  I made beef stew in the crock pot.  The only thing I did differently was that I tossed the beef chunks in 1/4 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon powdered mustard and 1 teaspoon of paprika.  I brown the beef and then tossed everything in the crock.

Tony wrapped up some garlic in foil and put that in the beef juice to cook.  He made some amazeballs garlic bread – perfect for soaking up all the gravy.  Dinner comes in at 468 calories, 19 fat, 48 carbs, 6 fiber and 23 protein.

Tony joked and asked if we were going to have split pea soup for dinner tonight since it will be in the 90’s again today.  I am secretly hoping for some sort of Party Pizza Friday!

And ever since I saw that Rhonda found this popcorn, I’ve been dying to have some.  Although we call it the Chicago Mix – half cheddar popcorn and half caramel corn.  A restaurant near my office actually sells it so I swung by on my way home.  I may have had a couple handfuls while watching t.v. last night – so good!

Alright – have to get my shit together for all the food I am bringing for my work lunch.  Question of the Day:  Were you a good student?  Make it a great day!