Well, this week was my first full week of work.  I have to admit, I really like my job.  I know, that’s a good thing, right?  But to me it comes with a bit of guilt & sorrow, because I have less time with my son.  I do feel, though, that I’m good at being a working Mom… and I like it.  I like being social with adults during the day, feeling like I’m contributing to a big and exciting project, learning new things, and challenging myself.  I really do enjoy it.

I love being busy (hello multitasking!) and I love getting a paycheck and stashing a bunch away to plan for the next trip to Disney World.  However, when I get behind the wheel to start my 50 minute commute home, and I call and hear my son and husband already at home having fun… that’s when it’s tough.

So Friday I was all excited to get out early (summer hours!!) and pick up my son from “school” (daycare).  He’s in a new pre-preschool class and he seems to love it (and he’s talking even more than before, if that’s possible).  I speed into the parking lot and run up to his classroom.  He’s sitting there, telling the other boys about his Spiderman shirt he has on (while making the neck on the shirt stretch down to his belly button as he does so).  He sees me, all excited, and promptly tells me that the one little girl there just threw up “all over” and follows that statement with “Mom, I don’t want to go home yet”.

So I stand there, watching the poor teachers clean up puke as the little girl is crying with a look on her face like “why did my mouth just betray me like that?”, and my son wants to stay there and continue to socialize with his friends.  He’s not crying to go home with Mom, or miserable and wondering why he’s stuck at daycare all day, or wanting to run away from the puke germs (like I was).  He’s having FUN… even amidst puke and a bit of chaos… he loves it there.

The guilt finally subsides a bit.  I think the combination of quality time at home with us, as well as a great (seriously wonderful… we’re so lucky!) daycare is a good thing.  So somehow we’ve ended up well rounded & happy!

Anyway, last night I made these open-face turkey melts from Cooking Light.  They were wonderful.. and super fast & easy.  I couldn’t believe how big one serving was.  I served them with Reduced Fat Sea Salt & Ground Pepper Kettle Chips

Open-Faced Turkey Patty Melt

courtesy of Cooking Light, May 2007
serves: 4
WW points: 7 (this is without the chips)

1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup vertically sliced Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 large egg white
Cooking spray
4 (1-ounce) slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese
4 slices light rye bread
1/4 cup country-style Dijon mustard

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion to pan. Cook 5 minutes or until lightly browned; stir occasionally. Transfer onion to a bowl.

Preheat broiler.

Combine cheese and next 4 ingredients (through egg white). Divide turkey mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Return pan to medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add patties to pan; cook 4 minutes or until brown. Turn patties over; cook 1 minute. Top each patty with 1 cheese slice; cook 3 minutes or until cheese melts and patties are done.

Place bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet; broil 2 minutes or until toasted. Spread 1 tablespoon mustard on each bread slice; top each serving with 1 patty. Divide onion mixture evenly among sandwiches. (I put my onions on first, and melted the cheese on top instead).

~M