I would like to propose that I only work two days a week, get to travel, yet still make the same amount of money I make now. Mkay?! But somehow I don’t think my work would accept that proposal! I am like the “glue” that holds everything together at work. If something goes wrong, I am the first to be told about it and asked to “fix it.” Case in point. Last Monday as I was pulling into the hotel, my boss sent me a text “The copier isn’t working.” I quickly replied back “what’s wrong with it” because then I could let her know how to handle it. Meanwhile I step into the lobby of Extended Stay America, and also checking in is the marketing person who introduces herself to me, tells me how excited she is to meet me and the other finalists. I could hear my phone vibrating as text after text was being left on my phone.
Fifteen minutes later I get to the room and there was a string of emails “give me your personal email and I’ll forward you the email with what’s wrong with the copier.” “Who should we contact?” “Do you have a number we can call?” and the last one “CONTACT INFO PLEASE!” Damn. Give me a second. It’s not like I walk around with phone numbers of the copy service guy on my cell phone! I quickly called one of the secretaries, told her to call the number that’s on a label on the inside of the copier and where to find the serial number. I texted my boss back and said it’s being taken care of. Then she said “cook your ass off in NYC!”
Since I didn’t go grocery shopping last week, it was slim pickings. As I was thinking what to bring for breakfast I decided to get a protein box at Starbucks (thanks Heather – I still have $19 left on the gift card you gave me!) I had a banana that needed to be eaten, so just added that in. I just love the picky plate of food – and I always save the cheese for last.
My knee is still hurting. I called and made an appointment for 7:30 next Tuesday to get it checked out. I decided it would be okay to swim, so I swam for 30 minutes – it felt nice to get in the water and feel like I was exercising – it’s been too long!
I ended up bringing the leftover Home Run Inn pizza for lunch, thinking if I reheated it in the toaster oven that the crust would get crispy. Nope, kinda tasted like ass, even with the addition of hot peppers!
Since we had pizza the night before last, I knew I had no shot at pitching Party Pizza Friday. I knew I had some pork blade steaks – while Tony doesn’t like thick cut pork chops anymore, he loves this skinny pork chop steak. It’s on the bone, which he loves – I love the price tag!
I cooked them up on the indoor cast iron grill – I added mustard bbq sauce to mine, and I made twice baked potatoes on the side. These were just okay – the meat really didn’t have a ton of flavor, which is unusual because I’ve bought these several times before. I miss our gas grill! Had I won the $5k, I was definitely going to buy a new gas grill. A crappy picture for crappy food – ha! I ate about 1/3 of the pork and half the potato.
Long time readers will know that I am a total meal planner. It not only saves me $$, but it is nice to know what the game plan is instead of standing in front of the fridge and pantry wondering “what can I make?!” My blog friend Courtney has some great tips on meal planning (and awesome recipes to boot!). Check out her post here, which includes free downloads for meal planning and grocery shopping. And you’ll notice that under meat I have a coupon for a free pound of bacon – score!
I still have a few gaps to fill, but that’s pretty much our menu and grocery list. Tony’s birthday is on Monday and I don’t know what he wants for his birthday dinner.
You still have time to leave a comment on this post to win Sunny Anderson’s cookbook – winner will be picked on Monday.
And a happy birthday to my step-son Joe! His birthday is tomorrow – he turns 25! I met Joe when he was 10 years old, so it’s been an amazing time watching him grow up to be the man he is today. I am so proud of you Joe! I love you! Have fun with Lizz tomorrow. And I am #sorrynotsorry for posting the Father Ed picture of you. 
Have a great weekend! Looking forward to putting my NYC trip together for you guys next week. Hugs!
I’ll join the revolution with you and Lori, let’s make it a world event 🙂
Here it’s Monday already so happy birthday Tony, hope you have a great day.
I live on meal planning, I don’t like grocery shopping and don’t like to think about what I am going to eat for dinner every day so meal planning does the trick for me. I sit down every Sunday and plan. Been doing that for the past 20 years so apparently it works for me 🙂
I am with you on a 2 day work week at the same pay! Let’s start a revolution!
BTW I keep meaning to ask you have you thought about your IT Band being injured as your knee/leg problem? Hope you find out what is going on with it at your appointment.
Seems common sense to find the copy guy’s information ON THE COPIER, yes? I had a job like that several years back (in the creepy old hospital building) and I don’t know how you handle it.
I have always been a meal planner, but I never plan breakfast/lunch because my work schedule can change in an instant. I keep a few Atkins meals in the freezer at work and try to pack breakfast and lunch as often as possible. I need to adjust my scheduling to make sure I am able to plan better!
While it’s nice to feel needed, there are certain things that other people should be able to cover so you can get out of the office once in a while…like fixing the copier!
I’m with you on wishing for shorter weeks more regularly–we got back from vacation on Wednesday afternoon and I worked from home Thursday so I only had to come in on Friday and it was marvelous.
We’re OK meal planners–we can get the basics and play around with them as needed and I always plan out the meal I make when Michael’s at the gym, but I still usually need to make at least one more visit to the store during the week and more often than not two.
I hope you had a wonderful trip!!! So excited to see your pics and recap. 😀
Sigh. . .I love you so much. But yeah, frozen pizza reheated is going to taste like ass. Even if you are the Biz
Here’s a hint for reheating pizza – I don’t know if it works on ass tasting frozen shit, but try it. Place one piece of pizza on a sheet of tinfoil. Sprinkle some shredded mozzarella and parmesan on it. Place another piece of pizza facedown on that one. Wrap the two pieces loosely, but tight enough to fit in the toaster oven [no worries if using a regular oven] and bake at 250 for . . . oh 10 mins? Til the cheese melts.
I find that works best for reheating all kinds of pizza, especially my own. but we cheat a bit and have done it with the rare frozen one.
Damn, now I want pizza. Thanks Biz 😉
And girl? That is just cray-cray about your boss texting you in NYC to fix the copier???? There are no words. At least she wished you luck. 😀
Happy birthday to your handsome son! Hope he has a wonderful day.
Love and hugs!
Thanks for the tip about reheating the pizza – I think I may just have to stick to my homemade pizza! At least I am missed when I am not at work 😀
I’m glad that you are going to the DR about your knee – I hope it’s nothing serious and that they can figure out how to have you pain free again!!
Loved seeing the pictures of young(er) Tony!!!
Yep, hoping it’s nothing serious – I went to three places today and I was hobbling up the back steps – gah!
OMG! I am SO happy to see you using the meal planner and grocery list! So glad you find it useful and thank you, so much, for the shout out! 🙂
Yep, love it – it’s now on my fridge for quick reference – thanks Courtney! 😀
My birthday is tomorrow, also. The Earth Wind and Fire song, September, is my song ..
Happy Birthday Carol! Hope you had a fun day!
I really like when you make your photo collages:) You always have such a variety of photos. I am always surprised that time and time again you try and doctor up frozen pizzas. Silly girl when will you learn they always disappoint you. ?
I know, right Kym?! I just need to make the pizza from scratch! 😀