Is It Just Me?

I am not feeling that fat.
Every pregnancy I have had (sigh)...oh now I am like the "expert" on pregnancy, great,
but really, with Maren and Keegan I felt terrible about myself by this time...
This time, I don't really feel that gross.
Of course, I don't know what other people are saying about me and I am sure I have some sort of "skinny vision" installed right now that has everything to do with hopped up hormones, so for all I know, I could look really really bad and people are just being polite.
However, since I feel good, who really gives a shit what anyone else thinks?
This is the selfish pregnant lady mantra.
Don't kid yourself, I will probably use it after the baby too.
In an effort to keep my life as stress-free as possible, I am trying to come up with plans, lists and tasks.  This is not a new concept for me. I just have new lists, plans and tasks...
Yesterday, I went into school for the first time and got all of my furniture and boxes figured out in my new room.  If you want help from the custodians, go into school during July.  They are more than willing to do anything for you because it gets them out of cleaning. They are also more willing to help because no one else is around making demands on their time.
I already feel a heap better about the upcoming year because I am going to file throw, de-clutter, and have my room ready to go before workshop week.
In peace.
Another plus to going in to school when no one is there....
The other big "plan" is dinner.
There is nothing worse for me than dinner time. It freaks me out.
This is due in part to the fact that Will doesn't get home until at least 6 pm every night, so the responsibility falls to me.
I pick up the tired, hungry kids. I have to feed the tired, hungry kids. I have to DEAL with the tired, hungry kids.
I get panicky  not knowing what I am making for dinner.
So,  (drum roll) in an effort to make life happier at mealtime, I have come up with a three week rotation of meals.
We need to save money before the baby gets here, and food can be a huge waste, so the menus will help me streamline my grocery shopping (yes, I will still probably stray down the ice cream aisle) but it will at least give me a better plan.
And let's be honest, right now our liquor bill is nill, so I am really helping the cause!!
For five more months.
In order to make it super easy for myself I have a schedule and it goes like this:
Monday is Crock Pot.
Since Will works late that day, hecan dump the four ingredients in before he leaves and we're good to go by 5:15.
Tuesday is Easy Night (or what I like to think of as sandwich night)
My kids love sandwiches, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, Simek's meatballs.
This is the night where I can pull something out of the freezer or pantry with no planning.
Wednesday and Thursday are beef and chicken recipe nights, respectively.
The first week I am making Parmesan Chicken (Mom's simple recipe) and soft shell tacos.
Next week it's crispy creamy chicken and ground beef casserole, etc. etc. etc..
Each week I have a different chicken or beef recipe that takes 10 minutes or so to prepare.
Most of my recipes come from Kraft or I have found them through the years in various cook books, on-line or from my mom.
Friday is pizza, left overs or (sigh) McDonalds, if I am really in a pinch.
Saturday and Sunday we won't eat because I am not planning 7 nights of meals, so everyone can just wait until Monday...
I don't know what Saturday and Sunday will be, but you can bet that a Will and a grill will be involved until the snow flies.
I do plan to use the weekend to try out some new recipes to throw into my rotation.
Yesterday, I typed everything up including the shopping lists.
I feel like a million bucks.
Smart, organized and planful.
I am wondering how long this feeling will last when I actually have to make all of these things................................
In any case, getting my shit together is helping immensely with the thought of school approaching and a new baby on the way..
And look if I am feeling good, then who really cares about anything else right now?
That's the selfish pregnant lady talking.
It won't last.....................