So it's been a while...

Yeah it's been a while since I've posted anything. I've thought about it, every day actually. Part of my reason for not posting is that I've been busy. When I got over being so busy, I just wanted to be lazy. And for the past several days, I've been sick. So, what have I been up to since I last posted? Where do I start? It may take me a couple of posts to get caught up.

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to help out one of the special area teachers at the school I used to work at, and now volunteer at quite often. They have a really great hands-on, kid's museum type of thing that they got a grant to for several years ago. It's called Kidzone. Inside Kidzone, there are replicas of a bank (with a teller counter, and deposit and withdrawal slips to help the kids learn about money), a Piggly Wiggly (with aisles full of artificial food, and empty boxes, and a cash register so the kids can grocery shop and play cashier), and a McDonalds (well sort of, the back wall is like a mural of what it looks like behind the counter, and there's a cash register and a bunch of empty food containers, also to help with learning about money). There is also a kitchen where the Kidzone teacher, or classroom teacher, can cook with the students. It's pretty impressive actually. In addition to the neat centers, the Kidzone teacher does three units a year on a Social Studies or Science theme, including lots of props, decorations, and hands-on activities. The teacher who taught it since it was started retired at the end of the school year last year, and they hired a new teacher for this year (I wanted the job, but that's another story for another time). But before she left, the retiring teacher helped the incoming teacher set up the unit for the beginning of school. The theme had to be changed at the end of November and the new teacher needed lots of help doing that. That's where I come in. This is turning into a much longer backstory than I anticipated! Sorry 'bout that folks.
So anyway, I spent the week before Thanksgiving helping her transform Kidzone from a Native American setting to Christmas in Germany (I'm supposed to be getting paid for this, but I don't know how much or when I'll actually get the money). It was a lot of work, but it turned out really well. I wish I had before and after photos of everything, but I don't. I do have pictures of some other things that I want to share with you though, so I'll resume with this tomorrow.

7 things

Madeline at My Boy and Me tagged me for this meme.

The rules:

Link to your tagger and list the rules

List 7 random facts about yourself

Tag 7 people (and make sure you check back and see what they say!)

If you're tagged, play along and pass it on!

I've already shared a lot of random stuff about myself, so I'm going to have to try to come up with something new :-)

1. I like watching Top Gear. It's a British car show that's freakin' awesome.

2. I really like cars. As of right now, my dream car is a Jaguar XJ. I like lots of the "luxury cars" but the Jag keeps popping back up. That being said, I drive a really old Buick- about as far from a luxury car as you can get !

3. I hate for anything to be under my fingernails. Dirty fingernails are disgusting.

4. I am trying to make as many of my Christmas presents as possible this year. That being said, I have a LOT of work to do!

5. Like Madeline, I hate taking out the trash. This is gross, but I can actually smell it as I write this and I'm wishing I had made Mr. McHacker do it when he was home for lunch. I wonder if I can deal with it till he gets home or of I should just bite the bullet and take it out? Ugh.

6. When other drivers piss me off, I yell obscenities at them. Only because I know they can't hear me. I'm way to chicken to cuss someone for real.

7. I am seriously craving some chocolate. That's pretty much a 24/7 occurrence though.

I tag you:
1. Lisa at Cakes and Cupboards Since she's having a hard time on what to blog about :-)
2. Patty at May all your days be happy. She was one of my apron swap partners, and seems like a great lady, so I would like to know more about her.
3. Jenn at I Hate Whine.
4. Dr. Wifey
5. Tassie
6. Carrie at Confessions
7. Buzzard roost babe
If I didn't tag you and you want to do it, please do, just let me know so I can read it! I love reading random stuff about people :-)

Menu Plan Monday

Here's this week's menu, dinners only. When I typed this up we didn't have any Thanksgiving plans. Mr. McHacker's mom and dad and a couple of our friends may be coming over for a "thanksgiving" type of meal, I'm not sure of which day though, so I'll leave it like it is for now.

Monday 11-24
Southwest Quiche

Tuesday 11-25
Steak and baked potatoes

Wednesday 11-26
Breakfast for supper (eggs, grits, bacon, and pancakes)

Thursday 11-27
Chicken Club Ring

Friday 11-28
Cheeseburger and French fries

Saturday 11-29
Fried chicken tenders and macaroni & cheese

Sunday 11-30
Spaghetti with meat sauce, green beans, and garlic bread

Menu Plan Monday

Okay, I think I have completely lost my mind. Four posts in one day? Yeah, I'm crazy. But I remembered it's Monday and I want to get back into doing Menu Plan Monday. I'm actually going to buy groceries today, to the delight of my husband :-) This week I'm only putting what's for dinner since lunch most days will be leftovers or sandwiches.

Monday 11-17
Taco Salad

Tuesday 11-18
Red beans and rice with sausage and cornbread

Wednesday 11-19
Chicken Caesar Salad

Thursday 11-20
Chicken Pot Pie

Friday 11-21
Pepperoni and ham calzones

Saturday 11-22
Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots

Sunday 11-23
Chicken Spaghetti

Ruby and Roja giveaway

No it's not my apron giveaway just yet.

Beth, Christy, and Arianne of ruby and roja are giving away an entire year of blog designs!!! The only reason I'm telling you is because making a blog post about it is the only way to enter. So don't enter it cause I want to win it! Just kidding, good luck to all of you too! But y'all know I'm in some serious need of blog design help!