Skillet Chicken & Vegetables Parmesan

1/4 cup KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Dressing

2 cloves  garlic, minced

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)

1 tsp.  dried basil leaves, divided

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1 pkg.  (10 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

2 Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

MIX dressing and garlic in large skillet. Cook on medium heat 1 min. Add chicken; season with 3/4 tsp. of the basil and the pepper. Cook 4 to 5 min. on each side or until chicken is cooked through (165ºF).

ADD vegetables to skillet; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 tsp. basil. Cook 2 to 3 min. or until vegetables are heated through, stirring occasionally.

SPRINKLE with the cheese.

From http://www.kraftfoods.com.

I hate to wait. I hate to wait for anything! I wrote yesterday about how I was hired back by my company to work with another client. I was told that I would start training today or Monday… Today must not be the day! In all fairness they did say it could be Monday but do they know how long that is to wait?

To top it off I sent in a second response for another job offer and was told that they would confirm everything then send in the information I needed to get started… I have yet to see that information either. In their defense they did let everyone know that they were overwhelmed right now and it would be soon.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining, seriously I know it sounds like it but I’m not I’m just whinning a little! I’m truely thankful that not only has God blessed me with a better client within my company but he has brought an extra job into my sights… but seriously did he have to pick this week to work on my patience?

Click on the picture above and share your frustrations, big or small get it out!

photo by Clarita  http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/16178

The first week of school is almost over! Brandon seems to be enjoying seventh grade so far. The teachers seem really nice plus they post assignments on their web pages everyweek so I can keep an eye on what he is supposed to be doing. However with him playing Junior high football this year he knows that he has to turn in all of his work and keep getting good grades in order to stay on the team. I don’t worry about him not making good grades at all because he is so smart but I worry about his ability to find time to do it all. He’s handled it all this week, going straight to practice after school plus getting his homework done but this week was an easy week as far as homework goes. It’s going to get tough.

My fiance has been officially named assistant coach of my son’s jr high football team which is really exciting. He gets off work then heads right to the field. I don’t see them until almost 6pm every night! On some nights however it’s after 8:30pm because not only does he assist coaching the jr high team he is the head coach of the parks and rec team for the little guys so many nights he goes from one practice to the next. I’m worried that he’s pushing himself to thin but I’m proud of him. The kids love him, the parents love him, and he loves doing it.

I on the other hand have been homeschooling the girls PRE-K since Brianna isn’t able to go to Kindergarten due to the birthday change this year. It’s going pretty good, she asks everyday if I’m going to play teacher.  I’m learning a lot about my hardheaded and determined little girl by doing this and hopefully I’ll continue to learn more while she does the same. As for my youngest she’s a come and go type of child and hopefully taking this time with them will help her to start sitting and listening more then running around and talking.

I recently wrote about how I lost my position at work. After many prayers and tons of emails to Human Resources I was offered another client! This means that I don’t have to leave the company I’ve been with forever, I can still work 30-40 hours from home, and I’m making a little more money with this client. God is wonderful isn’t he! I have learned through all of this to keep a few extra eggs in my basket so I’ve continued to apply with other jobs. One opportunity seems pretty promising I’m just waiting on the final email form them. I am continuing to write my articles which I have to admit have been coming along great!

So all in all we’ve become a very busy family. I feel confident that it’s all falling into place but we’ll see how things go next week when I start my six college classes, begin training for the new client, plus doing everything else. I’ll see then if I still feel like we’re above water on everything!

Visit http://conversationswithmoms.com/ to add your Wordless Wednesday!

Today is the big day… the first day of seventh grade! I can’t believe summer is over already! I have to admit I haven’t gotten upset on the first day of school since my son was in second grade but today upsets me a little. I feel like my baby is growing up way too fast! SEVENTH GRADE!!!!  I think it’s just hard today because I won’t get to see him after school and hear about his day since he will be heading to football practice directly after school until after 5pm! I feel like I’m losing part of my motherly duties by not having him here in the afternoons to make sure he does his homework, listen to how his day went, and to give him a snack. OH the woes of being a mother.

 All recipes and photos provided by: http://familyfun.go.com

Sailboat Sandwiches

• Crescent dinner rolls
• Tuna salad
• Cheddar cheese
• Tooth picks

Slice the tops off the rolls and hollow them out. Fill the rolls with the tuna salad or any other filling. Slice the cheese into rectangles about 1/8 inch thick. Cut the rectangles on the diagonal to make triangles. Insert a toothpick into each triangle to make little sails

Two-Tone Sandwiches

• Two slices of bread (one white and one wheat)
• Cookie cutters (1 large and 1 small)
  

Set the 2 slices of bread on a cutting board. Cut out the centers of each with a large and a small cookie cutter. 

Swap the center cutouts, so the wheat bread has a white bread design and the white has the wheat, then assemble your sandwich.

Silly Face Sandwich 

• Ketchup, mustard, or mayo
• Sandwich roll or bun
• Ham
• raw veggies
• Olives
• Cherry tomatoes
• Softened cream cheese
• Cheese sticks
• Cheese cubes
• Carrots
• Bell peppers

1. Spread your child’s favorite condiment on the bottom half of a sandwich roll.

2. Add a slice of ham or another cold cut.

3. Fold a second slice of meat lengthwise so that it resembles a tongue and lay it across the bun with one end hanging over the edge.

4. Create a face on the bun top using sliced raw vegetables, olives, and cherry tomatoes for features and softened cream cheese for glue. (The cheese sticks best if you first blot dry the cut veggies with a paper towel.) You can even add a couple of cheese cube “teeth.”

5. Use a potato peeler or grater to create long carrot curls to pile on top of the sandwich or push bell pepper slices into the bun for a spiky hairdo.

“You status for (name of line taken out per contract requirements) has been temporarily blocked as of Aug 15 2009 8:45AM.” (notes on next page) “Terminated: but eligible for rehire”

This is my frustration! This is the message I received per my work at home job. What exactly does this message mean you might ask… well it means exactly this:

Dear Anglia,

Over the past estimated five years you have truly worked yourself to death for our company, you have been a great value to our team, all the many nights you lost sleep working hours upon hours for payments of nothing yet you still never lost your cool with our over bearing customers whom constantly yelled and cussed you out. However at this time because we feel you aren’t doing a good job any longer that after five years of doing so great all of a sudden we think you don’t know how to do your job so we are firing you from this skill but wait you are not fired by the company you can wait around for an email allowing you to work on another project for our company however this could be done within 24 hours to 24 years! The best part of all of this is even though we are firing you from this project you are eligible for rehire.

Thank you,

The people at your job that absolutely know nothing

Yes that’s how I understand the statement. I mean seriously I have worked for them FOREVER and I get fired not from the company but from the project but wait I am eligible for rehire on that project or others. Well if I was messing up so bad why am I eligible to get rehired? You know it’s okay though because something will come along that fits my schedule better, that pays better, and that allows me to focus on school since I start September 2nd. I have applied at several different jobs since this has happened and actually been approved for a few however they all have issues that stops me from working them. Maybe I’m just scared or nitpicking hoping that my company will give me another project soon. Now who sounds like the fool?

Click on the Friday Frustrations picture and head over to conversationswithmoms.com to tell us what you’re frustrated with today.

visit http://conversationswithmoms.com/ to add yours

I know I’m running late with Wordless Wednesday but it’s been a long week!

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (English)

Candlewick Pr

Synopsis: Little Lola, the heroine from I WILL NEVER NOT EVER EAT A TOMATO, maintains that she is too little to go to school despite her parents’ admonishments to the contrary. Her kindly brother Charlie, who narrates this story, finds Lola a hard sell. When he notes that she can send cards to her friends if she can write, she counters that she prefers to talk on the phone. She insists that knowing how to count to a hundred in unnecessary, since she can already count to ten, which is high enough. It’s only when Charlie tells her that her imaginary friend is going off to school and will be lonesome without her that she relents. Imaginative collages of cartoon drawings, photographs, and colorful cloth illustrate the story.

The Berenstain Bears Go to School (English)

Publisher: Random House Childrens Books

Synopsis: Even with Brother Bear’s reassurances and encouragement, Sister Bear is very worried about starting kindergarten.

Synopsis

It’s the first day of school, and Cassie is all set to go. So is her dog, Marley!

Although he’s told to stay, Marley digs a tunnel out of the backyard and sniffs his way to school. As he roams the halls looking for Cassie, he finds trouble instead. From wolfing down hot dogs in the cafeteria to setting free a bunch of mice in science class, Marley won’t stop until he locates his best friend. This lovable and rowdy dog may not be much of an academic, but he’s full of school spirit!

Packed with action and hilarious Marley bad-boy antics, this follow-up to the bestselling Bad Dog, Marley! and A Very Marley Christmas will leave readers howling for more. Awooo

Synopsis

“I’m off to kindergarten now.
I’d better take my bear.
He likes to sit beside me so
I’ll take a little chair. . . .”
So begins the long list of things Bill absolutely needs for his first day of school. Along with his pillow and some cookies, he also plans on bringing his sandbox, some digging moles, and a moving truck!
A touching story of first-day jitters and hopes, Tony Johnston’s rhyming text is paired with Melissa Sweet’s delightful illustrations!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/

http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/school/tp/startingschool.htm

Today I’m a walking zombie. I was up all night with a tooth ache! Yes I know what you’re thinking and it’s true I usually work nights so I’m usually awake anyway right?  I do work nights… well early mornings I guess you could say but lastnight I wasn’t even able to work the pain was so bad! Walking the floors in pain, rocking back and forth on the sofa with a hot towel on my temple, and yes at one point even leaning over the back of the sofa so blood would rush to my head allowing just a moment with no pain wore me out more then working.

I have been having problems with my wisdom teeth for a few years now. I can handle the pain until it gets to the point that it’s in my ear and temple area then I feel like I’m going to go crazy b/c it just won’t slack off. I know, I know, go to the dentist. Well that’s the easy way out isn’t it lol. Seriously I don’t have insurance and all excuses aside if I did have insurance I probably still wouldn’t go  ok maybe lastnight I would have!

I think my biggest frustration is knowing that it will more then likely happen again tonight because it usually runs a few nights then goes away. All day today I’ve felt little pains shooting through the gum area and I know the minute my face tenses up or I yell at the kids too much that unbearable pain will be back and you’ll find me balled up in a corner grabbing frantically at my head and ear, and possibly at some points standing on my head. Don’t worry though, it’ll go away after about seven hours!

Please click on the picture above to add your Friday Frustrations!