These are forty nuggets that have stuck with me. I numbered the list, but they are not in order of importance. I am not attempting to spout knowledge, so if you find this post pretentious, then please close your browser. If you enjoy reading it, then feel free to comment on your favorite.

1. I did not learn everything I need to know in kindergarten. What a hoax! I learn things – important things, things I definitely need to know – every day.

2. It is important to be present.

3. I can stop wanting to be important. Everyone is important to someone.

4. Rather than being good at everything, strive to be great at just a few.

5. In high school and college I had friends who encouraged me to “stop and smell the roses more often.” I love to smell the roses – and the sunflowers, and the tulips, and the lilies…

6. My personal motto that I penned 20 years ago still holds true: “Every woman needs her own Swiss Army knife, checking account, and sense of self. With these things she can do anything on her own.”

7. If your mother says to you, “I hope your daughter turns out to be exactly like you,” then you should be frightened and joyful at the same time because it will come true.

8. There is no vaccination that will fight a travel bug.

9. Small towns actually do have some big qualities.

10. Marketing is like painting. It always takes several coats to get the job done.

11. There is nothing wrong with having a checklist to find your future spouse. Just allow him or her also to bring a checklist to the table.

12. Good things come to those who wait upon the Lord. But if the Lord tells you to get up and go, then don’t wait another minute.

13. My instinct is right 99% of the time.

14. I will never be too old to appreciate a 64-pack of Crayola crayons.

15. It will take me the rest of my life to pursue all my ideas.

16. I believe a liberal arts education is fundamental to educating the “whole student.”

17. Both “hate” and “love” are strong words. Use them carefully.

18. I am happiest living on coastal waters, but the mountains also comfort me.

19. If you can, take the stairs and count your blessings with each step. Not everyone is able.

20. Not everyone wants to climb the corporate ladder and that is a good thing for teamwork. The best collaboration takes place between an alphabet soup of players – Type As, Type Bs, and so on.

21. There is no such thing as normal.

22. Parents don’t know everything, nor do they think they do.

23. In most cases it is better to focus on the outcome rather than credit – unless we’re talking about breaking the law and then we’re talking blame.

24. It all comes out in the wash (numerous interpretations apply here, including baby food on those tiny, perfect clothes).

25. You may be a role model and not even realize it. Try to live like you know you are one.

26. Love….well, love is strange.

27. Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

28. Only women empty the crumbs out of the toaster. This has huge implications on marriage or living with someone.

29. Before having children one should enjoy going to the potty alone. It will never happen again.

30. You will tell yourself that you will never say to your children, “Because I said so.” But you will.

31. Just because you are a girl with good hair, does not mean that you are good with girls’ hair.

32. This one time, when I was at band camp (for real, people!)…I suffered from heat exhaustion and had to go to the hospital via ambulance. And – you guessed it – I was wearing dirty socks, which my grandma warned me to never do. Never again.

33. Sometimes you have to forget the gold stars and do something just because it makes you happy (like writing a blog).

34. Kids hear things that you think they don’t.

35. The art of doing nothing sure takes a lot of something.

36. Naps cure a lot of things at any age.

37. It really bothers me when people complain freely without proposing an alternative solution.

38. I prefer pie over cake. This may or may not be a reflection of my personality.

39. Forty-nine percent of our happiness is genetic. We control the other 51 percent.

40. Life is good. You should try it.

-Melissa

The Devil’s Wave, by Andrew Richards

The island of La Palma in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is a ticking time bomb. On it there is a fault line that will rupture and force the land west of the fault – all 500 billion tons of it – to fall into the Atlantic Ocean. The tsunami this will cause will devastate the eastern seaboard of the United States.

American scientists Tom Delaney and Jane Simons – experts on tsunamis and volcanoes – are offered the chance to conduct British-sponsored research to inspect the fault line and the volcanoes on the island. They are not aware that the project head, Professor Golding, suspects that his deputy is involved in a plot to detonate a nuclear device inside one of the volcanoes and cause a mega-tsunami. Golding has no evidence to support his theory, but he plans to use the scientists to uncover the fault and draw attention to it. A mysterious plane crash introduces the controversial CIA agent, Scott Adler – the agent who provided misinformation about weapons of mass destruction in 2003 – to the story.

In a race against the clock to stop the terrorists from carrying out their intentions, Adler and Delaney confront the terrorists high on the island volcano and struggle to prevent an event that would result in the death of hundreds of thousands of people.

Day 1: Beef stir fry and rice

• Beef strips (purchase already sliced or buy a piece of beef and slice into strips)
• Frozen broccoli, onion, and pepper medley
• Low sodium Teriyaki sauce
• Jasmine rice

Day 2: Ham and bean soup with biscuits 

• Ham steak (cut into cubes)
• Bag of 15 Bean Soup with Cajun seasoning
• Chicken stock
• Pillsbury frozen biscuits

Day 3: Brats, corn on the cob, broccoli

Day 4: Quiche and salad 

• Eggs
• Unbaked pie crust (in the cold section with the canned biscuits)
• Shredded cheeses
• Filling for quiche (choose bacon, ham, chopped veggies, etc.)
• Salad ingredients

Day 5: Baked tortellini or penne and garlic bread

• Cheese tortellinis (fresh or frozen)
• Ground beef/turkey/sausage (optional)
• Favorite spaghetti/tomato sauce
• Parmasan and/or mozzarella cheese
• Bread crumbs
• Garlic bread

Day 6: Homemade chicken tenders, potato wedges, fruit

Day 7: Meatloaf, gravy, peas, carrots, and rice

• Ground beef
• Tomato sauce
• Egg
• Milk
• Breadcrumbs
• Brown sugar
• Mustard
• Peas
• Carrots
• Rice

Day 8: Coconut chicken casserole 

• Boneless chicken breasts
• Coconut milk
• Thai red curry paste
• Chopped red bell peppers
• Green beans cut small
• Lemon juice
• Rice

Day 9: Grilled beef and shrimp kabobs, couscous

• Beef/steak cubes
• Large raw peeled shrimp
• Veggies (peppers, onions, etc. cut into large chunks)
• Couscous

Day 10: Burgers, salad, and fruit

• Beef/turkey burgers
• Whole wheat buns
• Burger toppings
• Salad ingredients
• Fruit

Day 11: Tandoori chicken legs, chick pea masala, Naan bread

• Chicken legs
• Tandoori rub
• Can of chick peas
• Can of chopped tomatoes
• Garam masala, curry power, cumin
• Chopped onion and garlic
• Naan bread

Day 12: Stuffed shells with Italian bread

• Fresh spinach chopped small
• Large pasta shells
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Minced garlic
• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 4 ounces coarsely grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Salt and pepper
• Favorite spaghetti sauce
• Italian bread

Day 13: Rosemary pork loin with potatoes and carrots, spinach salad with homemade croutons

• Pork (or beef) loin
• Small red or white potatoes
• Carrots cut into large chunks
• Rosemary
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Baguette cut into rounds
• Italian spices
• Fresh spinach

Day 14: Mexican lasagna, fiesta rice

• Ground beef
• Taco seasoning
• Taco cheese blend
• Onions
• Salsa
• Tortilla chips
• Rice
• Can of yellow corn
• Chopped tomatoes
• Chopped green chiles
• Cilantro
• Lime

Day 15: White chicken chili with pita chips

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and cut into pieces
• Chopped onion
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Coriander
• Can of chopped green chiles
• 2 (15.5-ounce) cans cannellini beans
• Fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• Simply salted pita chips

Day 16: Grilled salmon, cous cous, asparagus

Day 17: Chicken enchiladas 

• Chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• Flour tortillas
• Can of chopped green chiles
• Salsa
• Bag of taco/Mexican cheese blend
• Onion
• Sour cream
• Shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes

Day 18: Thai chicken noodles and veggies

• Chicken legs or boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Thai rice noodles
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Red chiles
• Bean sprouts
• Onions
• Peanuts or cashews (optional)
• Mushrooms
• Chopped green onions
• Lime
• Lite Pad Thai sauce
• Mixed Asian medley veggies (frozen)

Day 19: Eggplant parmasean

• Eggplant
• Bread crumbs
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Tomato sauce
• Mozzarella cheese
• Spaghetti noodles

Day 20: Black bean burgers, sweet potato fries

• Gardenburger brand black bean burgers (frozen)
• Whole wheat buns (optional)
• Cheddar and pepper jack cheese
• Salsa
• Lettuce or sprouts
• Sour cream
• Sweet potato fries

Day 21: Artisan pizza, salad

• Pizza crust mix (or use Naan bread to save time)
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded or sliced)
• Tomato sauce
• Garlic
• Basil
• Toppings of choice (black olives, red peppers, spinach, other chopped veggies, and/or meat)
• Salad ingredients

Day 22: Chicken and dumplings

• Chicken, cooked and shredded
• Bisquick baking mix
• Half and half
• Chicken broth
• Peas
• Carrots
• Celery
• Onion
• Salt and pepper
• Bay leaf
• Thyme
• Turmeric

Day 23: Sesame soy shrimp tacos with cilantro-lime rice

• Large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Soy sauce
• Sesame seeds
• Ginger
• Green onion
• Shredded cabbage
• Chopped tomatoes
• Lime
• Cilantro
• Taco shells (hard or soft)
• Rice

Day 24: Twice baked potatoes stuffed with tuna and cheese, salad

• Large baking potatoes
• Canned albacore tuna
• Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Salad ingredients

Day 25: Lemon chicken, orzo, broccoli

• Chicken (legs or breasts)
• Chicken stock
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Lemons
• Bay leaf
• Oregano
• Orzo
• Broccoli

Day 26: Grilled pork chops, mixed veggies

Day 27: Lite General Tso chicken with spicy green beans and rice

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks
• Chicken broth
• Cornstarch
• Brown sugar
• Hot chili sauce
• Low sodium soy sauce
• Green beans
• Rice

Day 28: Sausage rigatoni and garlic bread

• Spicy (or mild) Italian sausage links cut into chunks
• Rigatoni
• Spaghetti sauce
• Mushrooms
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic bread

Day 29: Pulled pork sandwiches, kettle chips, raw celery and carrots

• Pork roast
• Onions
• Garlic
• Paprika (or Butt Rub or other pork seasoning)
• BBQ sauce
• Whole wheat buns (optional)
• Celery
• Carrots
• Kettle chips

Day 30:  Chicken paprikash, cucumber salad

• Chicken
• Paprika
• Chicken stock
• Sour cream
• Salt and pepper
• Onion
• Garlic
• Cucumbers
• Vinegar
• Box of spaetzle (usually found in “International Foods” section)

Day 31: TREAT YOURSELF TO A FUN PIZZA OR OTHER TAKE OUT!