Going for Seven in 2011!

FLYLady's 2011 Rally Cry is:

"Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"

I have decided that I can do lots of things with this. I think this will bless My Love, my dear husband. We need to get our house organized. It is bugging both of us.

I have worked up a schedule using the FLY Lady's "Sevens for 2011." It is my hope that, using this schedule, I can break the work down into bites that are not too big and can actually, over time, get the house in a more manageable order.

Here is the schedule I've come up with. I will set the timer twice a night to seven minutes. This should only take 14 minutes a night of my time. In theory, that should be doable and not overwhelming.

I can't do anything without the blessing of My Love and the help of my LORD, so it is my sincerest prayer that My Love will get on board with me, and we can develop some habits that will help us live more in harmony with our surroundings and each other. Hopefully, it will help us to bless, each other, our extended family, and our friends with hospitality from our home.

So... here goes. Two sets of seven tasks to finally organize our house. The plan is to methodically work my/our way through the house until it is all in order.... 14 minutes a day.



I. Daily Organization Tasks

Mondays - Set timer for seven minutes and focus on one thing or one area.

Tuesdays - Pick a room or problem area and pick up 7 items to put away, give away, or throw away.

Wednesdays - Set a timer for seven minutes and focus on one thing or one area.

Thursdays - Pick a room or problem area and pick up 7 items to put away, give away, or throw away.

Fridays - Set a timer for seven minutes and focus on one thing or one area.

Saturdays - Make up 7 menus for the next week.

Sundays - Sit down and rest for 7 minutes or read 7 pages in my current book.



II. Nightly Cleaning Tasks

Mondays - Vacuum

Tuesdays - Dust

Wednesdays - Quick Mop

Thursdays - Scrub Bathrooms

Fridays - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail

Saturdays - Change Sheets

Sundays - Empty all trash cans

Monday Meanderings... December 27, 2010

Verse of Week...

Psalm 103:1-2 - Praise the LORD, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits...

Bible Study...
* One Year Bible
* What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob

Husband Encouragement...

* Be authentically thankful for all he does
* Let him lead our home
* Let him do some things his way
* Pray for him

Personal Goals...

* Stop being a perfectionist.
* Enjoy life.

New Habit of the Month...
* Pamper self [December]

MUST Do...
* Pay bills
* Clip CopperMan's nails
* Invite friends over for New Year's Eve games.
* Mail pictures to niece.
* Rest!!!!! & recover from bronchitis.

Zone... den/main living area

Menu -

M - Lentil soup, cornbread & salad
T - Fried-Egg-Topped Turkey Burgers with Kale Salad
W - skillet chicken & brussle sprouts with rice
Th - beef & bean tacos with salad
F - chili
Sa - BBQ ribs, black eye peas, turnip greens, & Mexican corn bread
Su - leftovers

FUN THINGS!
* Four day weekend.
* New Year's Eve party/games with friends
* Video chatting with out of town family

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. Cold weather.
2. My Love & CopperMan
3. Piano.

Monday Meanderings... December 20, 2010

Bible Study...
- One Year Bible
- What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob
- Bible Gateway Advent Devotionals

Memory Verse OR Meditation Verse... Luke 1:46-55
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Husband Encouragement...
- Bake something yummy.
- Be careful not to nag on him.
- Say "Thank you" frequently & with meaning.

Personal Goals...
New Habit of the Month... {DECEMBER}
Pamper Self

MUST Do...
- Wrap one more present.
- Finish My Love's stocking.
- Mail bills.
- Buy Ham.

Zone...
Company Zones - guest bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining area, guest bathroom, etc.

Menu -
M - beef & radicchio skillet pasta & gingerbread cookies
Tu - chicken with lemon over pasta & broccoli on the side
W - creamy chicken and couscous soup with garlic toast & salad
Th - Red beans & rice
F - out
S - sausage balls, whole wheat biscuits & tomato gravy, & eggs (breakfast); home baked honey baked ham, green been casserole, pineapple casserole, sweet potato casserole, oat toasted honey wheat clover leaf rolls, & pecan pie
Su - leftovers

FUN Things
Christmas Eve Candlelight service!
Christmas!!!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. My Love
2. CopperMan
3. routines and boundaries - I know this sounds like a crazy thing to be thankful for, but during this crazy season of the year when so much is pushed at me, I am thankful for the daily routines and planning that keep me focused on Christ & what He did for me.

Monday Meanderings... November 13, 2010

Bible Study...
- One Year Bible - New Testament section
- What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob

Memory Verse...
-John 15:5,8 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is my Father's Glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."

Husband Encouragement...
- Purposefully say "Thank You" everyday for something. Make it a point to say it as soon as I notice and not put it off for a "sweeter" moment or less rushed moment.
- Give him a back rub.

Personal Goals...
- Find something to look forward to and enjoy each day.

New Habit of the Month...
- Pampering. Take the time in this busy season to pamper myself a little each day. (December)
- Get everything ready for next day before bed. (October/November)

Must Do...
- Firm up Christmas Plans & grocery shop accordingly.
- Finish wrapping gifts.

Zone...
- Master Bedroom

Menu...
- Su - Olive Garden
- M - Lenny's
- Tu - Vegetable Beef Soup & quesadillas
- W - Vegetarian Chickpea Burgers (with turkey bacon on top) & coleslaw
- Th - 3 Banderas
- F - (shopping day... start new plan)

Fun Things...
- Wrapping presents and putting them under the tree
- Pops Christmas Concert
- Ladies Bible Study Annual Christmas dinner on Thursday this week


3 Things I'm Thankful for this week...
1. My Love
2. CopperMan
3. Cold weather... We are supposed to be in the 70's again by Thursday, but I am thankful for the few cold days we have had.

Monday Meanderings December 6, 2010

Bible Study...

- In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

- One Year Bible - New Testament section

- What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob

Memory Verse...

-

Husband Encouragement...

- Purposefully say "Thank You" everyday for something. Make it a point to say it as soon as I notice and not put it off for a "sweeter" moment or less rushed moment.

- Give him a back rub.

- Make sure he feels that he is in the driver's seat, or leader, in our home.

Personal Goals...

- Find something to look forward to and enjoy each day.

New Habit of the Month...

- Clear out mail nightly. (December)

- Get everything ready for next day before bed. (October/November)

Must Do...

- Get Copper's meds.

- Christmas shop.

Zone...

- Master Bedroom

Menu...

- Su - Toasted-Pecan Chicken Salad and sweet potato biscuits

- M - Chickpea Burgers with sweet potato fries & early peas

- Tu - Creamy chick Enchilada Soup with side salad

- W - My Love's Birthday Surprise

- Th - spaghetti with spicy turkey meat sauce and broccoli

- F - Fish Stick Po' Boys, slaw & sweet potato hash

Fun Things...

- My Love's Birthday Dinner

- Christmas Shopping

- Ladies Bible Study on Tuesday this week

3 Things I'm Thankful for this week...

1. My Love

2. CopperMan

3. Ladies Bible Study

Monday Meanderings... November 29, 2010

Bible Study...

• "One Year Bible" - read the New Testament portions & meditate on the bold print

• What Makes a Man Feel Loved: Understanding What Your Husband Really Wants/ Barnes, Bob
• In The Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max
  

Memory Verse...
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” - Psalm 136:1,26

Personal Goals... Find something to enjoy and look forward to each day.

Husband Encouragement...

• Make it a point to say thank you at least three times a day.
• Make a point of letting him lead our home... make sure he feels that he is in the "driver's seat".

Work Goals... Don't take work home... Don't get stressed... Keep things rolling and focused.

New Habit of the Month...
Clear out mail nightly (December)

MUST Do...
- Pay bills
- Buy dog food
- Balance check book
- Get back on track with groceries

Menu...
M = beanie weenie cornbread casserole, broccoli with cheese
Tu = bbq chicken scrambles, limma beans, peaches
W = (My Love) baked chicken, baked sweet potatoes, green beans
Th = out (gotta work day and night... bummer!)
F = TBA (shopping day & day to reach goal of getting back on track)

FUN THINGS!

• Ladies Bible study Wednesday night
• Swimming at the Y
• SIL joining bible study
  

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. My Love
2. CopperMan
3. Family

Monday Meanderings for November 22, 2010

Bible Study...

• "One Year Bible" - read the New Testament portions & meditate on the bold print
• What Makes a Man Feel Loved: Understanding What Your Husband Really Wants/ Barnes, Bob

Memory Verse...

Colossians 3:15 - "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And, BE THANKFUL."

Personal Goals...

• Find something to enjoy and look forward to each day.

Husband Encouragement...

• Make it a point to say thank you at least three times a day.
• Write him a thank you note to be given on Thanksgiving. Include a prayer and how much I love him.
• Make a point of letting him lead our home... make sure he feels that he is in the "driver's seat".

Work Goals...

• Finish "Review Cart" and keep it cleaned off... do a little at a time & don't let it pile up.
• Start planning the "Holiday Party."
• Do "Book Drop" on Friday.
• Don't take work home... Don't get stressed... Keep things rolling and focused.

New Habit of the Month...

Get everything for the morning done the night before. (October) - Keeping this for November. November has been so crazy with so many changes in our life. I did not get a good grasp on this or get a chance to add another habit before the 22nd.

MUST Do...

• Pay bill.
• Cut CopperMan's nails.
• Buy dog food.
• Figure out what we are doing for Thanksgiving and shop accordingly.

Menu...

• Monday - Baked Bean Casserole & cole slaw
• Tuesday - BBQ pork chops, sweet potatoes fries, early peas
• Wednesday - Chicken Burgers & Lima Beans
• Thursday - THANKSGIVING... still to be firuged out... still have to hear back from other family and their plans... but definately roasting a turkey and making dressing and a sweet potato trifle for My Love
• Friday - TBA
• Saturday - TBA

FUN THINGS!

• THANKSGIVING!!
• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!
• Putting up the Christmas Tree!
• Baking for Thanksgiving.

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. Husband who loves me
2. Loving, most wonderful dog, CopperMan
3. Husband got a part time job
4. Good coffee
5. We got the new part needed to play NetFlix fast play on our TV instead of the laptop.

Monday Meanderings... November 16, 2010

Bible Study...
- In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Memory Verse...
- Psalm 119:18, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things."

Husband Encouragement...
- Hug him often, and take time to do it. Don't be so rushed. Let him be affectionate to me.
- Let him help me. Then notice he did it and rave over it and say thank you.
- Be kind in the AM.
- Share the highlights of work with him so he knows what I am going through, but still leave work at work.... and make doubly sure he knows he is fixing things by listening and that he doesn't need to try any harder to fix things.

Personal Goals...
- Relax in the evenings.
- Do the FLYLady:
- Do chores for 15 minutes a night
- Love myself. Don't beat myself up because my house is not clean and I am not super
woman.

New Habit of the Month...
- Get everything ready for the morning before going to bed.

MUST Do...
- Give Copper his meds.
- Email SIL bible study questions.

Zone...
- Master Bathroom.

Menu...
- Sunday - Manwhiches, Chili Baked Beans, & Cole Slaw
- Monday - Panchetta, Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper, Havarti, Sharp Cheddar Pizza on homemade Whole Wheat Crust with a tossed salad and milk shakes
- Tuesday - Chicken & Rice with Broccoli and a tossed salad
- Wednesday - pan seared steak, baked sweet potatoes, green beans and toasted oat whole wheat clover leaf rolls
- Thursday - chicken spaghetti with spinach
- Friday - shopping day... so TBA

FUN THINGS!
- Keep the girls Monday night.
- Swimming at the Y.
- SIL Christmas Program

Things I'm thankful for today...
1. My Love
2. CopperMan
3. The Girls
4. Bible Study Ladies
5. Phones, texting, and Internet for keeping up with family and friends long distance

Monday Meanderings... October 18, 2010

Bible Study...
- In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Memory Verse...
- Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Husband Encouragement...
- Hug him often.
- Notice all the things he does around the house and rave over them and say thank you.
- Be kind in the AM.
- Leave work at work.

Personal Goals...
- Leave work at work.
- Relax in the evenings.
- Set a pace and keep with it. Don't stress at work.

New Habit of the Month...
- Get everything ready for the morning before going to bed.

MUST Do...
- Mail bills.
- Pick up allergy shots refill.

Zone...
- Master Bathroom.

Menu...
- Sunday - cinnamon rolls; leftovers; glazed roasted chicken, apple chutney stuffed acorn squash; creamed spinach and couscous
- Monday - Parmesan chicken, tortellini, broccoli, and garlic bread
- Tuesday - rosemary pork tenderloin, mashed cauliflower, early peas & whole wheat (homemade) cloverleaf rolls
- Wednesday - skillet chicken & brussel sprouts with rice
- Thursday - steak, green beans, & biscuits
- Friday - pork chops, rice & lentils, copper pennies

FUN THINGS!
- Keep the girls Monday night.
- Keep the girls Saturday night.
- Swimming a the Y.

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. My Love
2. Copper Man
3. the girls
4. Loving God
5. bible study girls

Bible Study...
- In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado

Memory Verse...
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.”- Psalm 62:1

Husband Encouragement...
- Good attitude... Smile... look at the glass as half full.
- Thank him for the many, varied things he does for me.

Personal Goals...
- Rest
- Relax some each day
- Rely on God... not me

New Habit of the Month...
- Get everything ready for the next day before going to bed.

MUST Do...
- Pay bills
- Meds for CopperMan
- Read at a school on Thursday
- Make pumpkin things with pumpkin that bible study girls cooked for me

Zone...
- Main living area

Menu...
Sunday - pumpkin bread with cream cheese and sausage; homemade pizza; leftovers
Monday - pumpkin, whole wheat, oatmeal gingerbread pancakes with apple, cranberry chutney and bacon; teriyaki chicken, roasted green beans, marshmallow sweet potatoes, and monkey rolls
Tuesday - apricot lemon chicken, rice, & broccoli
Wednesday - penne with bacon, butternut squash and spinach; lemon cookies
Thursday - bean and beef enchiladas with green beans
Friday - sausage dogs and baked beans
Saturday - bacon & pancakes; leftovers; shop

FUN THINGS!
- Camping Friday night
- Columbus Day off
- Lounging on Sunday with My Love

3 things I'm thankful for today...
- My Love
- Copper Man
- my job
- Netflix
- YMCA

Saturday Meanderings... October 2

I was trying to do the Monday Meanderings on Monday evening, but that is well into the start of my week. I usually plan for the next week on Friday or Saturday (which ever is my day off that week), so I am going to go ahead and do my meanderings on the day I do my planning.

Bible Study
- In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max... chapter 5

Memory Verse
- “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”- Proverbs 29:25

Husband Encouragement
- Make a concentrated effort to say thank you for all of his efforts to help me.
- Recognize his intentions no matter what the outcome.
- Make him cookies.
- Savor hugs.
- Let him know that his following God and being in tune to Him is all I want.

Personal Goal
- Exercise at least four days this week.
- Trust... really trust... God for all of our needs.
- Rest & relax
- Seek God for His balance in my life... work & sit at his feet

New Habit of the Month (October)
- Get everything for the next day laid out the night before.

Must Do
- Pay bills
- Go to doctor Tuesday
- Buy dog food
- Prayer walk at least two days this week (Monday & Thursday)

Zone
- Main living area

Menu
- Sweets - Cinnamon Rolls (Breakfast), peanut butter cookies
- Sunday - Beef & Chicken Fajitas, salad, & re-fried beans
- Monday - Stuffed Pasta Shells (chicken, spinach, & ricotta)
- Tuesday - Bean & Sausage Stew with crusty bread
- Wednesday - Tarragon chicken, artichokes & grits
- Thursday - steak, green beans & sweet potatoes
- Friday - pizza

Fun Things
- Netflix streaming videos
- Book from church library
- Nieces on Monday
- Walking CopperMan
- Swimming at the Y with My Love

Things I'm Thankful for this Week
- First signs of fall!!! I love fall!
- My Love... a man who loves God and is molded by Him & who loves me...
- CopperMan... the best dog in the world (in my opinion)
- Praise God we have been able to pay all our bills even though my husband lost his job over a month ago.
- Bible Study Ladies... precious gifts from God

Monday Meanderings... September 6

Bible Study...
"In the Eye of the Storm" by Max Lucado - chapter 2

Memory Verse...
TBA from question 2 of bible study...

Husband Encouragement...
Notice all the stuff he does around the house and thank him.
Believe in him.
Submit... choose to not always have to have my way... let him be the leader of our home.

Personal Goal...
Relax... let go of perfectionism... don't take on so much stuff.

New Habit of the Month...
Sweep kitchen everyday.

MUST do...
Look into Cobra for dear husband.
Get meds for CopperMan.

Zone...
Main living area.

Menu...
Sunday - spiced pork chops with apple chutney, garlicky green beans, & sweet potato hash
Monday - taco bake with re-fried beans
Tuesday - Tarragon chicken, artichokes & rice
Wednesday - spinach-mac-sagania
Thursday - Chipotle, salsa turkey burgers & re-fried beans
Friday - pizza & salad with brownies
Saturday - spiced-honey brushed chicken thighs, sweet potatoes & salad

Fun Things...
Labor Day lunch with family.
Dinners with My Love.
Night swimming at the Y.
Practicing Piano (My piano has been covered with My Love building me a new bookshelf for the last week, and I have not played in days!)

Things I'm Thankful for Today...
1. My Love
2. CopperMan
3. Extended Family
4. Bible Study Ladies

Monday Meanderings for August 23

Bible Study:

• In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max
• One Year Bible (N.T. Portion)

Memory Verse:

• John 16:24 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
  "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete." [Note: He says "your" joy... my joy. Really? God cares about "my" joy and not just His or other people's. Does this mean that He really wants to do something about it when my heart is breaking?] {Click here for more thoughts on this verse.}

Husband Encouragement:

• Pray for him... out loud & in front of him.
• Give him lots of hugs.
• Flirt.
• Believe in him, & show it in the way I talk to him about his job search.
• Share the verse of the week with him. Then share how it encourages me about our situation.
• Thank him often for all the stuff he does around the house & for me.

Personal Goals:

• Exercise at least 4 days this week.
• Find time to RELAX (non-sleeping relaxation) each day. Do something that is fun and takes the pressure off of me for at least 30 minutes each day. Examples include: watch a TV show, practice piano, take a bubble bath, read, cuddle with CopperMan (can be done while watching TV or reading!)

Work Goals:

• Tweak schedule for staff. Fix problems with existing schedule.
• Answer all emails from week of vacation.
• Answer all mail from week of vacation.
• Start storytime planning.
• Gather promotional information & techniques from librarians with greater attendance numbers than me.
• Weekly progress reports with staff.
• Create schedule for self, and stay on task. Put up borders and enforce them with staff.

Must do:

• Make new budget. Get a framework that my dear husband and I can swing from while he doesn't have a job.
• Exercise at least 4 days this week.

Zone:

• Master Bedroom

New Habit of the month: [August]

• Lay out clothes and iron as part of bedtime routine. [UPDATE: This was getting easier. Then I took vacation. Hopefully, it will get easier again later this week!]

Menu:

• Sunday - open face chicken melts with lima bean soup
• Monday - quick chicken & dumplings with mixed veggies
• Tuesday - soft black bean & chicken tostadas with left over lima bean soup
• Wednesday - Southwest Salsa Burgers & green beans
• Thursday - leftovers
• Friday - spaghettie & french bread
• Saturday - taco bake

Fun Things:

• Swimming in kiddi pool with my neices.
• Biking with My Love
• Pool & hot tub at the Y with My Love
• Watching Chuck & Stargate SG-1 on DVD

Things I am thankful for this week:

• DVD's for 45 minute daily escapes
• Love who makes me a priority in his life
• Dog who loves me unconditionally
• Neices who think I am the greatest Aunt ever
• Vacation memories
• bible-study, girl friends
• long distance, texting prayer partners
• Bible Study group starting new study this Thursday! We are going to be studying how Jesus handled a day in his life where he received "one punch" (bad news, stress) after another. I can't wait to study how to relate to Jesus with this issue. I have been receiving a lot of "punches" lately.

Checklist for Week of August 9, 2010

Bible Study:

• Wife after God's own heart/ Elizabeth George
• Reading through 1 Corinthians

Memory Verse:

Psalm 126:3 (New Living Translation)
"Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!"

Husband Encouragement:

• Thank him for doing the dishes.
• Thank him for doing a great job with the laundry, and help him fold it all and put it away.
• Help him write cover letters for his job search.
• Help him dress for interviews.
• Let him know all the ways I need him.
• Speak to him with balance. Be honest about my fears for our finances while he is without work, but balance it with speech of faith.
• Do not lie to him. Acknowledge that I know he is not perfect and has faults, but emphasize that I love him anyway. Then emphasize the things he is good at, and help him to see how to turn his weaknesses into strength.
• Thank God for him in front of him.
• Pray for him out loud!
• Hug him often.
• Watch my tong. Temper my frustrations. Don't bottle them up, but don't take them out on him!
• Get over my needs and fulfill him. Especially now. He needs to be respected by me, needed by me, and fulfilled by me. I can do it with God's help. I know the job God gave me, and I know I can do it as I trust Him.

Personal Goals:

• Faith. Trust. Trust God with my current situation. Turn my husband, his job situation, and our finances over to God. Don't worry. Be happy in the LORD... and not just when I am having a quiet time. Practice those principles all day. Trust. Really trust God with my future... and My Love's... each time that nagging fear starts to try to ease into my brain - deny it. Counter it with a way God has provided for me in the past and scripture. Here's a couple to chew over:
• Luke 12:6-7 (New Living Translation)
  “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins?
  Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."
• Philippians 4:4-9 (New Living Translation)
  "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."

Work Goals:

• get papers filed before vacation
• get office clean before vacation
• make sure all staff know what to do while I am out
• finish statistical reports for July

And, that's all because I will only be working four days this week. A goal a day!

Must do:

• Take CopperMan to the vet.
• Go by doctor's office for re-check after completing round of antibiotics.
• Pay water bill.
• Make calls for bible study group.

Zone: Kitchen/Laundry room

• de-clutter
• see what all I can get rid of or put in a better more useful place
• do one drawer or one pile at a time

New Habit of the month: [August]

• Lay out clothes and iron as part of bedtime routine.

Menu:

• Sunday - Mom's
• Monday - cumin breakfast steaks with tomato chili sauce and green beans over brown rice with carrots on the side
• Tuesday - mini frittitas and cantaloupe
• Wednesday - BBQ chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob & salad
• Thursday - Tilapia with Lemon peppercorn sauce & salad
• Friday - Asian grilled chicken, rice & broccoli
• Saturday - Spaghetti

Fun Things:

• Vacation starts when I get off work on Thursday. I don't have to show up to work or deal with any work problems for another whole week!
• Keeping nieces on Monday night.
• Biking with My Love.
• Swimming with My Love. We have not been to the pool in two weeks because I have been sick. We are going back this week, and I am so looking forward to it!

Things I am thankful for this week:

• My Love
• CopperMan
• 2 beautiful nieces close enough to keep and play with regularly
• Time off work
• DVDs
• God had the higher ups at my work realize that the big programs I had planned would be too much for me. I thank God they denied my plans. Now I get to focus on making storytime better. I am thankful for the chance to really get better at what I do. I am thankful that God is taking care of my problem of being over extended. I have been asking for His help for quite some time now, and I can see in my circumstance that He is in control...even of my bosses. Praise God. He is good...all the time.
• Girl Friends
• My husband's friends who are true friends and hang with him even when he doesn't have the money to go "out" with them.
• Text messaging = instant prayer support from friends and family all across the country.
• Godly friends & family lending both prayer and emotional support.

New Meaning to Staycation

While we were engaged, my husband and I took a lot of staycations. He felt that my job and wedding planning were making me frazzled, and he made me get "away" from life on Sundays. We would go to church. Then we would go to a local park or the beach and read, talk, pet the dog.... They were a lot of fun. We don't do them much anymore, even though life seems just as hectic and stressful now as then, because we are always too tired on Sunday. So, you can imagine how I was intregued when I saw the following caption in my new "Cooking Light" magazine, "A former 'staycation' skeptic finds out why chilling at home has it rewards."

Then I read the intro:

"We yearn to relax, and we're programmed to do it during this supposedly lazy, supposedly slower time of the year. But if you're like me it just seems harder and harder to unwind in these high-stress times."

I was hooked. I had to read the whole article. The author had just described me! Summer is my busiest time of the year, and I am very frazzled right now! But, I hear people all over the place talking about "lazy summer days" and think "what gives?".

To this journalist, Kate Meyers, the following quote is the key:

"The key is to walk away from your usual routine and give yourself a chance to see what you enjoy when you don't have to work, when you don't have chores to complete. This means letting go of errands and to-do lists, and getting away from your electronic devices of choice - the things we ideally flee when we go on vacation (though the iPhone and e-mail are global and hard to resist; in Paris cafes you see American tourists thousands of miles from home scanning American blogs). We can abstain from these things perfectly well at home, to similar vacation effects."

That is what my dear husband made me do when we were engaged. It is getting hard to remember why we stopped.

Ms. Meyers gives this advice:

"Turn of the the TV. Leave a voice mail saying you're on vacation, put the e-mail on auto-respond, and stay away from Facebook, if you're into Facebook. This certainly sounds cheaper than a week long beach getaway, doesn't it? And in a way, this sort of unplugging can be more focused, too, because so often, on vacations, we fall prey to the same need for busy-ness that stresses us in our daily lives. (See this historic site! Explore that museum!)...

"If the economy has dictated a home-based vacation, use the time to really unplug. Make a few rules, and observe yourself in the unplugged state. Then carry it into daily life. The habit of being overbusy can become the habit of being less busy, allowing for more time to be fully immersed in your own life. And that's bigger than a vacation - that's a gift."

Ms. Meyers interviewed one guy who said he hasn't taken a "vacation" in two years, but he takes little staycations everyday. I think that is a really good idea. This guy took time to play ball with his dog, cook with his wife and read. Those were the things he enjoyed, and he took time to do those things in an unhurried way. He savored them.

I know this was not a Christian article, but I thought there are some things to be learned here. I should take the time to savor my time with God and my worship. What could be more restful! But, what do I usually hurry the most?!? Then there are other things in my life that I really enjoy... even parts of my job, that I don't really slow down and enjoy. What did God give them to me for anyway? I should make more of an effort to enjoy them and to take time to thank God for them. Not that I need to do more stuff, just that I need to enjoy or savor more. I let all the busyness of life and the frantic pace steal my joy. Like I need to be busy all the time and doing everything perfect to be a good "Christian". But, I have been reminded a lot here lately of Mary and Martha and how on that fateful day when Jesus showed up a their house He said that Mary had chosen well when she sat at His feet. How often do I take time to just sit at His feet and enjoy my bible study or quiet time without hurrying on with the worries and busyness of my life. He has been chastening me lately to slow down and deliberately pray and read my bible, and to love my husband slowly, and to not always in such a rush to do dinner just so. This may not be a Christian article, but it held some tips that might help me do what God has been impressing me to do.

So, I am listing below some things that I enjoy, and I am going to stop trying to multitask and enjoy them.

1. Hugging my husband
2. Curling up with my husband and doing anything
3. Petting my dog
4. Storytime planning
5. Storytimes
6. Studying for bible study
7. Quiet times in bed with God
8. Cooking
9. Playing the piano
10. Exercising (swimming, jogging, biking)
11. Walking the dog
12. Long baths
13. Reading novels
14. Reading magazines
15. Talking to my mom

So, what can you do to take a mental vacation where you are? It might be just what the doctor ordered to keep you from becoming over frenzied.

Until next time...

Week of August 2

Bible Study

• Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

Memory Verse

• Psalm 105:43 (New International Version)
  "He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy"

Husband Encouragement

• Lots of hugs
• Pray for him out loud with him.... let him hear me praying for him.
• Tell him all the things he does well.
• Laugh with him.
• Let him lead.
• Seek his advice more.

Personal Goals

• Balance my time better between work & play.
• Start back exercising. This is always hard after being sick, & since I still ran a fever part of the night last night, it is even harder to know what and how much to do this time.
• Actually start doing more than reading FLY Lady.

Work Goals

• Clean out the Meeting Room Closets.
• Make headway on cleaning my office.
• Make headway on at least one project I am behind on.
• Update personnel files.

Must Do

• Refile prescription
• Pay bills
• Pay ticket
• Go to the bank

Zone

• FLY Lady - Just jump in. Do the routines everyday and pick one of the challenges a day to do. They only take 2 to 15 minutes. I can do this... I can FLY...

New Habit of the Month - AUGUST

• Lay out clothes & iron as part of bed time routine.

Menu

• Monday - cumin spiced steak with green bean & chili tomato sauce on top over brown rice with corn on the cob on the side
• Tuesday - spinach & beef spaghetti with homemade brown bread
• Wednesday - chicken & artichoke bake with rice and copper pennies
• Thursday - chili mac & broccoli with cheese
• Friday - Date Night
• Saturday - grilled chicken & salmon with tossed salad
• Sunday - favorite local eatery, BBQ sandwiches & chips
• Snack of the week - oatmeal bars
• Dessert of the week - ice cream
• Breakfast special - cinnamon oatmeal raisin bran muffins

Fun Things

• Bike with husband
• Practice piano
• Plan for vacation!

Things I'm Thankful for this week

• My dear husband, My Love
• My very special dog, CopperMan
• my nieces (They are out of town, & man do I miss them this week!)
• House God gave me in my dream neighborhood
• Church & Sunday School that I love attending that encourages me to grow
• ladies bible study (We are on break right now, so we are not meeting this week, & man do I miss them as well!)
• Internet at home. I can finally do this at home and not at a wi-fi friendly coffee house (not that I didn't enjoy the visits to the coffee house!)
• laptops
• DVD's
• lemons - They just make ice water & iced tea so much better! Thank you, My Love, for drilling in the concept.
• high quality coffee
• morning bible readings in bed (kind of like breakfast in bed!)
• Vacation is coming soon!

Monday Meanderings for July 26

Bible Study

Philippians 4
Romans
1 Corinthians

Memory Verse

Psalm 97:11 (New Living Translation)
"Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right."

Husband Encouragement

• Take time to stop and hug him and kiss him each morning and after work.
• Write him a thank you note for all the things he does for me and how well he took care of me last week when I was sick.
• Pray for him as he leads our home to be the kind of leader God wants him to be.
• Pray for his interactions at work. Then text him encouragement during the day.

Personal Goals

• Do something fun or relaxing for at least 30 minutes each night.
• Stop & pray. Sometimes it is OK to pray as I go and be in conversation with God while I work, but sometimes I need to stop & pray for His guidance and help. Don't be so rushed this week that I don't take time to stop and "hug" (see my checklist from a couple of weeks ago) my Heavenly Father.
• "Stop & Smell the Roses" - Stop and really look at God's creation, & praise Him. And, stop & really enjoy my husband and play with my nieces. Enjoy what is important in life. Don't get so wrapped up in trying to do all the right "stuff" (keep house clean, eat right, exercise...) that I don't appreciate what really matters. Enjoy the small/but majorly important things in life.

Work Goals

• Program planning sheets for fall term.
• Make progress toward all the filing I am behind on - set aside at least 30 minutes a day to do this.
• Make a plan to get a better grip on staffing situation.

Must Do

• Make appointment for CopperMan to go to the vet.
• Fill prescriptions.
• Pay ticket.
• Pay bills.

Zone

• Return to FLY Lady routines.

New Habit of the Month

• for July - do one small chore a night so that they do not pile up for my day off

Menu Planning

• Monday - red beans & rice, cornbread & salad
• Tuesday - baked beef tips with new, red potatoes & green beans, & salad
• Wednesday - baked chicken & artichokes over rice with copper pennies
• Thursday - takeout
• Friday - Date Night
• Saturday - grilled salmon & steak (Surf & Sea!), baked potato, tossed salad
• Sunday - favorite local eatery, pizza

Fun Things

• Monday night with my nieces & husband
• Date Night
• 30 minutes of relaxing each day
• Piano

Things I'm Thankful for This Week

• My Love
• CopperMan
• Vacation is coming soon!
• Summer programming is over!
• Piano

Bible Study

• Philippians 4
• Reading through Romans
• 2 Corinthians

Memory Verse

Psalm 94:19 (New Living Translation)

"When doubts filled my mind,
your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

Husband Encouragement

• Make sure he is fulfilled.
• Need him. Don't be so independent. He needs that.
• Pray for him... his walk with the LORD, his ability to love me the way I need, his leadership of our family, his ability to communicate effectively at work, his friendships...
• Support his decisions. Let him lead... even when the direction he takes is contrary to the way my family always did things. Cleave to him, & seek for God to lead him.
• Trust him to God, and make sure God & he are my head or covering. Seek God for the feelings to follow this decision and for it to come more easily and naturally for me.
• Send him love texts.
• Affirm him with my words... become fluent in the words of affirmation love language.
  

Personal Goals

• Stop... physically stop... and pray more. A book on relationships that I have been reading says, "how long does it really take for you to stop and let your husband hug you". It is talking about how busy we are as women and how often we pull away from our husbands when they just want to show us love by hugging us... many times we(I) are(am) too busy. I have been convicted that I not only do this to my husband, but I do it to God when I keep moving and doing while I pray. As I seek HIM during the day... and I should seek Him for each decision I make and each problem I face... with open continuous conversation like He is really in the room, then just like I should stop and let my husband hug me, I should stop and talk to God... like I really think He cares... other wise, maybe I'm just worrying instead of praying...
• Balance getting everything done with letting go to enjoy life & my husband and family.
• Ask God for happiness & believe He wants to give it to me.

Work Goals

• Press on and complete the stats.... keep all the numbers straight and report them correctly in all the correct places.
• Get at least one pile on my desk filled and sorted.

Must Do

• Follow doctor's orders and rest to let my body heal.
  

Zone

• Prioritize. Let stuff go. Rest & heal.
  

Menu Plan

• Monday - balsamic roasted chicken with roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and asparagus
  
• Tuesday - tarragon baked chicken, white crowder peas, mashed potatoes, copper pennies, & sliced tomatoes
  
• Wednesday - steak, sweet potatoes, & steamed carrots
  
• Thursday - tossed salad with chicken
  
• Friday - date night... My Love plan
• Saturday - pizza party/ice cream party (birthday party/ going away party)
  
• Sunday - favorite local eatery & red beans & rice
• Dessert of the Week - ice cream, watermelon
  
• Snack of the Week - banana bread, peach fritters, chocolate covered peanut butter filled graham crackers
  

Fun Things

• Birthday/going away party
• Date night
  

Things I'm Thankful for This Week

• God
• My Love
• CopperMan
• Family
• Friends
• Piano
• TV & DVD player... I do love relaxing in front of the TV... especially when I'm sick...
  
• CD player & books on CD... escape during lunch hour drive
• Good family doctor
  

Checklist for Week of July 12

Bible Study

• Philippians 4
• Reading through Romans
• 2 Corinthians

Memory Verse

Psalm 86:4 (New Living Translation)
"Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you."

Husband Encouragement

• Make sure he is fulfilled.
• Need him. Don't be so independent. He needs that.
• Pray for him... his walk with the LORD, his ability to love me the way I need, his leadership of our family, his ability to communicate effectively at work, his friendships...
• Support his decisions. Let him lead... even when the direction he takes is contrary to the way my family always did things. Cleave to him, & seek for God to lead him.
• Trust him to God, and make sure God & he are my head or covering. Seek God for the feelings to follow this decision and for it to come more easily and naturally for me.
• Send him love texts.

Personal Goals

• Stop... physically stop... and pray more. A book on relationships that I have been reading says, "how long does it really take for you to stop and let your husband hug you". It is talking about how busy we are as women and how often we pull away from our husbands when they just want to show us love by hugging us... many times we(I) are(am) too busy. I have been convicted that I not only do this to my husband, but I do it to God when I keep moving and doing while I pray. As I seek HIM during the day... and I should seek Him for each decision I make and each problem I face... with open continuous conversation like He is really in the room, then just like I should stop and let my husband hug me, I should stop and talk to God... like I really think He cares... other wise, maybe I'm just worrying instead of praying...
• Balance getting everything done with letting go to enjoy life & my husband and family.
• Ask God for happiness & believe He wants to give it to me.

Work Goals

• Press on and complete the stats.... keep all the numbers straight and report them correctly in all the correct places.
• Get everything ready for the Jeopardy game on Saturday at the Summer Reading Finale.
• Get at least one pile on my desk filled and sorted.

Must Do

• One chore a night Monday - Thursday (Monday - dust, Tuesday - sweep & mop, Wednesday - vacuum, Thursday - bathrooms).
• Fold laundry each night so that it doesn't build up too high.
• Exercise at least 4 days this week.
• Share what happens at work with my husband, but still manage to switch gears and keep work out of our home. Enjoy my husband.

Zone

• Practice piano

Menu Plan

• Monday - slow cooker new potatoes & Cajun chicken, steamed carrots, fresh homemade honey wheat bread, and sliced tomatoes
• Tuesday - apricot-lemon chicken over brown rice with steamed broccoli and left over bread
• Wednesday - chili burgers, fried squash, & field peas
• Thursday - pan seared fish, new potatoes & zucchini
• Friday - date night... My Love plan
• Saturday - family dinner & a game night... slow cooker Cajun chicken & new potatoes, steamed carrots, and green beans with caramelized onions
• Sunday - favorite local eatery & red beans & rice
• Dessert of the Week - ice cream, watermelon
• Snack of the Week - cheerios, oatmeal, nuts, & raisins covered in a homemade peanut butter, honey, chocolate topping.

Fun Things

• Swimming at the Y
• Biking with My Love
• Running with God
• Family dinner & game night

Things I'm Thankful for This Week

• God
• My Love
• CopperMan
• Family
• Friends
• Piano
• TV & DVD player... I do love relaxing in front of the TV
• CD player & books on CD... escape during lunch hour drive
  

Week of July 5

Bible Study

Philippians 4

Memory Verse

Psalm 51:12 (New Living Translation)
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."

Husband Encouragement

1. Say "Thank You" often... & quickly after he does something for me.
2. Make him a special snack.
3. Put a love note in his lunch at least one day.
4. Pray for him daily... his interactions at work, his computer business, his walk with the LORD, his leadership of our home, his loving me.
5. Share with him how God is answering my prayers.
6. Keep the laundry folded.

Personal Goals

• Get enough rest.
• Exercise at least 4 days.
• Take at least one long soak.
• Prayer-run at least two days this week.

Work Goals

• Complete summer camp registrations.
• Complete volunteer logs.
• Complete statistical report.
• Monthly report.
• Fun storytime on Wednesday!

Must Do

• Copper's monthly meds.
• Pay bills.

Zone

• Piano Room

New Habit for the Month of July

• Do at least one chore a night... Monday - Wednesday... so that there is not so much to do on the weekends.

1. Monday - dust
2. Tuesday - sweep & mop
3. Wednesday - vacuum

Menu Plan

• Monday - leftovers
• Tuesday - with in-laws
• Wednesday - Fried Fish, new potatoes, stewed peas & salad
• Thursday - pork shops, sliced tomatoes, new potatoes, & green beans
• Friday - Date Night... My Love plan
• Saturday - pizza night
• Sunday - favorite local eatery & red beans & rice

Fun Things

1. Dinner with family Tuesday night.
2. Swimming at the YMCA.
3. Biking with My Love.
4. Date Night!

Things I'm Thankful for this Week

1. My Love
2. CopperMan
3. Family
4. Girl Friends
5. Only 1 more week, after this week, of summer programming at work!

Week of June 28, 2010

Bible Study

• Starting Philippians 4 in the study on Philippians by Elizabeth George.
• Reading Acts

Memory Verse

Last week was so bad/hectic. This week is looking about the same, so I am going to keep this verse for another week.

Psalm 30:11 (NLT)

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy."

Husband Encouragement

• Pray for his interactions at work.
• Pray for his bible study.
• Remember to pray for his prayer requests.
• Reach out to his family.
• Be more affectionate.
• Be appreciative of his help.

Personal Goals

• Rest more.
• Let go of all the things that I can't accomplish.
• Be more affectionate with My Love.

Work Goals

• Finish getting pertinent information from daycares & summer camps.
• Finish hurricane/disaster training.
• Carefully monitor new staff person.
• Write one overdue report.

Must Do

• Night Time Routine... especially the ironing before bed.
• Clean the house for company.

Zone

• Find time for rest & relaxation!

Menu Plan

Sunday - red beans & rice
Monday - crock-pot chicken & new potatoes, broiled asparagus, boiled corn, & biscuits with watermelon & peanut butter squares for dessert
Tuesday - favorite local burger joint
Wednesday - pork chops & gravy, mashed potatoes, purple hulled peas, sliced tomatoes, & salad
Thursday - chicken & rice with broccoli
Friday - practice grilling burgers before Sunday!
Saturday - grilled chicken, grilled squash and zucchini, homemade bread, & rice
Sunday - (Big 4th of July Family grill out!) Grandma Elsie's Burgers grilled by My Love, baked beans, cold slaw, corn on the cob, watermelon, & cake

(I'm going Sunday - Sunday this week because of the National Holiday)

Snack of the Week - energy bars
Dessert of the Week - peanut butter bars & watermelon


Fun Things

• Fourth of July cookout with family
• swimming at the Y
• bike riding with My Love
• Watching movies with My Love

Things I'm Thankful for this Week

• My Love
• My CopperMan
• Family
• Bible Study Ladies
• Sleep!

Recipes to Remember

Pork Chops with Country Gravy


Grilled Steak with Black-Eyed Peas

Week of June 21, 2010

Bible Study

• "Experiencing God's Peace" by Elizabeth George
• Philippians 4:1-3
  

Verse of the Week

• Psalm 30:11 (New Living Translation)
  "11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy"

Husband Encouragement

• Remember to say please and thank you... use manners.
• Send him a love note or poem in his lunch.
• Bake cookie pie for him.
• Believe in him and let him know that I do.
• Pray for his interactions at work.
• Pray for him to grow closer to God.
• Pray for him to have wisdom to lead our family.
• Let him lead our family & support him without taking over.

Personal Goals

• Leave work at work.
• Focus in bible reading & prayer time.
• Seek the JOY of the LORD.
• Intentionally love my husband.
• Make progress developing good morning, after work & bedtime routines with FLY Lady.
  

Work Goals

• Complete at least three overdue reports.
• Get excited about storytimes.
• Teach yearly hurricane preparation class.
• Find judges for art contest.
• Display all art that comes in for the contest.
  

Menu Plan

Sunday - Mom's
Monday - oven fried chicken, asparagus, & biscuits
Tuesday - apricot lemon chicken over rice with broccoli & cheese
Wednesday - pan seared steaks, sweet potato hash & caramelized onion green beans
Thursday - grilled chicken sandwiches & baby lima beans
Friday - (nieces spend the night) take nieces out
Saturday - Dinner & a Movie [Princess Bride!] fellowship - Avocado Lemon Dip
Snack of the Week: Energy Bars
Dessert of the Week: Lemon Bar Cookie Pie & Brownies

Fun Things

• Dinner & a Movie Fellowship - We are going to watch "Princess Bride"!
• Taking my nieces out to dinner.
• Keeping my nieces. It has been two weeks since I have kept them, and I miss them like crazy!
• Going for a bike ride with My Love.

Things I'm Thankful For This Week

• My Love, my God given husband
• My Copperman, best dog in the world
• My nieces
  
• YMCA membership - I love to swim.
• My bike is fixed and I get to ride again this week... weather permitting.
• Coffee... mornings are just better with it & My Love does a great job making it everyday
• my bed...
• sleep
• DVD's

Week of June 14

Bible Study
(Complete last week's.)

Verse of the Week

• Psalm 28:7 (New Living Translation)
  "The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."
  

Husband Encouragement

• Be kind even when I feel bad (which is often with my job and the busy summer schedule it entails).
• Thank him often for all his help.
• Send him love notes.
• Pray for him and his daily interactions at work.
• Pray for him to have a close, growing relationship with Jesus.
• Pray for him to have wisdom as he leads our family.
• Bake him a cake.
• Dress up really special for him for our 10 month anniversary.

Personal Goals

• Find my joy in the Lord.
• Find rest & balance.

Work Goals

• Finish staff evaluations.
• Read stories to kids with enthusiasm. Enjoy that part of the job... my favorite part... the part I love. Don't let the other parts of the job ruin that for me.
• Leave Work at Work.
• Keep up with statistics daily.

Menu Plan

Sunday - leftovers, hubby make his own special scrambled burger recipe
Monday - Bacon rapped baked chicken, tomato couscous salad, & creamed spinach
Tuesday - TGIF for 10 month anniversary!
Wednesday - Parmesan Baked Chicken, Cheese Grits, & Broccoli
Thursday - Pan Seared Steak, Sweet Potato fries, & green beans
Friday - date night
Saturday - Mom & Dad's
Snack of the Week: Peanut Butter Energy Bars with raisins
Dessert of the Week: Chocolate Peanut-Butter Chocolate Chip Cake with a Powder Sugar dusting as frosting

Fun Things

• TGI Friday's for 10 month anniversary
• getting ready for Father's Day
• baking a cake for My Love
• swimming at the Y

Things I'm Thankful For This Week

• 10 Month Anniversary
• My Love (my husband)
• My Copperman (my dog)
• exercise highs
• God's daily provisions
• husband to cook for
• bible study ladies
• nieces
• bike fixed
• coffee (that my husband faithfully makes every morning!)
• my job
• God blessing my husband's computer business
• sleep

Week of June 7, 2010

Bible Study

• Philippians 3:17-21 (NLT)

"17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control."

• Who or what would those who observe my daily interactions say is my God?
• Am I following what I know of Paul's example? Am I counting all the things that I can do and my heritage as lose and striving for eternal things? Am I "pressing on" in my faith even on hard days and in tough situations?
• Am I remembering that I am a citizen of heaven and not earth? And, am I eagerly waiting for Jesus to return as my Savior? Or, do I just look at my immediate circumstances?
• Jesus will take my weak (often pain ridden body) and change it into a glorious body like His own.
• Jesus is in control of everything. Am I living like I realize this? If I really thought this, what would I do differently? Would I talk the same way? Would I have the same worries?

Memory Verse

• Psalm 21:6 (New Living Translation)
  "You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence."

Husband Encouragement

• Use manners... please, thank you, after you...
• Thank him often.
• Put love notes in his lunch.
• Brag on him to his Aunt & Uncle Monday night.
• Brag on him to his friends on Friday night.
• Tell him how I want him around.
• Tell him how I need him.
• Pray for him to make wise financial decisions.
• Pray for all of the decisions he will make this week.
• Pray that he has close communion with God this week.
• Seek to encourage him and bless him in at least one way each day.

Personal Goals

• Keep work at work
• Balance... keep up with home responsibilities, yet still take time for me to rejuvenate and rest

Work Goals

• Catch up on Monthly Reports... turn in all parts that are past due
• Write & turn in staff evaluations

Must Do

• Complete staff evaluations
• Plan storytime for Wednesday
• grocery shop
• cook dinner each night
• keep living area neat & clean

Zone

• Seek God's joy and strength
• Focus on the must dos

Menu Plan

• Sunday - favorite local eatery, leftovers from Saturday
• Monday - leftovers from favorite local eatery, dinner with husband's aunt & uncle
• Tuesday - ranch stuffed chicken, brown rice, steamed broccoli
• Wednesday - grilled chicken & veggie sandwiches with stewed Lima beans
• Thursday - pork chops, baked sweet potatoes, & green beans
• Friday - steak fajitas & black bean & corn salsa
• Saturday - artichokes & roasted pepper chicken pizza
• Snack of the Week: Peanut Butter Energy Bars with raisins
• Dessert of the Week: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Fun Things

• Visiting husband's extended family
• Dinner party Friday night

Things I'm Thankful For This Week

• Greatest husband I ever could have ask for who loves me & helps me. God provided and answered my prayers so well!
• Greatest, most loving dog in the world.
• YMCA membership... I love the pool after a hard day at work.
• Good neighborhood to prayer run in.... nothing like it to ease stress & frustrations & feel close to God.
• Loving God who meets me where I am and helps me.
• Friends & family.

FlyLady's Eleven Commandments

I just read FlyLady's 11 Commandments. They sound like great advice for someone as busy as myself who is looking for more balance. Here is my personalized version.

1. FlyLady's #1 is to keep the sink clean. My husband does the dishes for me. My goal is to keep as many of them done before dinner as possible to help him out. Thank you, My Love, for taking care of the number one thing for me. You are the absolute best! I love you.
2. Get dressed every morning... except for the expressed days that I have scheduled to relax. On those days, stay in PJ's all day and make the most of my grunge time.
3. Do your morning and before bedtime routine everyday... pick out clothes for next day, clean the bathroom, hit hot spots for 2 minutes, do one chore for 15 minutes.
4. Don’t allow myself to be sidetracked... unless my husband needs me... he is number one, not the house.
5. Pick up after self. If I get it out, I put it away.
6. Don’t try to do two projects at once. ONE JOB AT A TIME... unless it is cooking and doing dishes. It's best to do them as I go if at all possible... or watching TV & folding clothes... those two go great together (for me).
7. Don’t pull out more than you can put back in one hour.
8. Do something for yourself everyday, maybe every morning and night. ESPECIALLY DON'T NEGLECT THIS ONE!!! It should be number one. I am so guilty of not doing things for myself.
9. Work as fast as I can to get the job done. This will give me more time to play later.
10. Smile even when I don’t feel like it. It is contagious. Count my blessings daily. Write down at least three.
11. Don’t forget to laugh everyday! This can even be the thing I do for me. It will encourage my husband as well. He loves to see me laugh.

Recipe Love

The following are several of my favorite go to recipes. I hope you find one or two that you can enjoy as well.

Oven-Fried Chicken Parmesan

I make the following two together, & my husband raves.

Cumin Spiced Chicken with Chunky Tomato Sauce

Chili-Lime Corn on the Cob

The Apricot-Lemon Chicken is excellent over brown rice.

Apricot-Lemon Chicken

With the following one, I brush the chicken with a balsamic salad dressing that I make instead of spritzing it like the recipe says, and I make toasted-Parmesan Orzo with roasted Zucchini or Asparagus or Green Beans or Spinach with the Balsamic Chicken (below). My husband raves.

Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes

I use Alton Brown's Pan Seared method to sear the steaks to go with the Cannelloni Salad. My husband says he can't get a better steak at a steak house. (Gotta love his raving!)

Pan Seared Steaks

Steaks with Tuscan Style Cannelloni Salad

I have been experimenting with Turkey Burgers for the last three years. The following two recipes are my favorite out of the hundreds I have tried. My husband, who prefers beef, actually approves these... as long as I still cook him beef burgers sometimes.

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Chipotle-Corn Turkey Burgers

I make the ranch dressing recipe to stuff the ranch chicken. Then I put the dressing on a side salad. It is also good on baked potatoes with broccoli.

stuffed Ranch Chicken Recipe

Ranch Dressing Recipe

This recipe is a little rich, so I don't make two weeks in a row or anything. But, it is very comforting and rewarding to make. I like to throw it in occasionally. It is definately a keeper for us.

Curried Chicken Potpies Recipe

Have you tried any new recipes lately that have been delicious successes? If so, please share. And, if you try any of the above recipes, please let me know what you think.

Week of May 31

Bible Study

• Having special fellowship dinner! We will continue in Philippians next week.
  

Memory Verse

• Psalm 19:8 (New Living Translation)
  8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.

Husband Encouragement

• Practice manners (please, thank you, after you...)
• Flirt & carry through
• Do at least one thing special for him every day
• Pray for him to grow closer to God and follow Him daily
• Consciously work on understanding him, or at least knowing where he comes from & thinking about how my actions affect him
• Fold laundry
• Do more housework to balance the chore list

Personal Goals

• Start using FLY Lady's advice
• Leave work at work
• Enjoy home more
• Bask in the Joy of the LORD

Work Goals

• Finalize plans for summer programming.
• Lay everything out for kick-off.
• Meet with staff about problems.
• Keep office cleared.
• Make at least some progress on back-log of work (monthly reports that are behind, etc.).

Must Do

• Pick three things to do to relax... three things I enjoy for me.
• Spend 2 minutes per day on hot spots (laundry room & master bedroom floor)

Zone

• Hot Spots (kitchen table, laundry room, bedroom floor/chair)
• Seek God to enjoy life more despite stress.

Menu Plan

• Sunday - favorite local eatery; left over burgers and chips
• Monday - Beef tips & lentils over tomato couscous, roasted green beans & yellow squash
• Wednesday - Pan Seared Steaks with Tuscan-Style Cannelloni Salad
• Thursday - Beef & Spinach Spaghetti sauce for bible study dinner
• Friday - Date Night! (Blind Side at the park! Take-out picnic.)
• Saturday - Broccoli & Ham Smothered potatoes
• Dessert of the Week: Brownies & ice cream
• Snacks: Chocolate/Peanut Butter Snack Bars, yogurt, & apples

Fun Things

• Movie (Blind Side) in the park under the stars
• Bible Study fellowship
• Memorial Day Holiday off work!

3 Things I'm Thankful For This Week

• Husband who has a soft heart towards me & wants to help me
• My wonderful, lovable Copper Man
• God's Grace

Week of May 24

Bible Study

• Philippians 3:15-16

¹⁵All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Memory Verse

• Psalm 16:11 (New Living Translation)
  "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."

Husband encouragement

• Find one way to bless him everyday.


• Pray that he hears from God and has close fellowship with Him everyday.


• Admire him and speak to him through the "lenses" of admiration.


• Show him how I need him and thank him often.


• Wear something special for him.
  

Personal Goals

• Don't let work get to me emotionally.


• Take care of me some this week so that I can have good parts of me to give to my husband and extended family and friends. (Salt baths, do nails, watch show, read, rest, etc.)


• Exercise at least 4 days this week.
  

Work Goals

• Stay focused & finish preparations for summer program.


• Confront problem staff in a timely manner out of a loving heart. Seriously think WWJD.


• Keep work at work... not at home.

Must Do

• Keep work & home separate.


• Make time for friends & family.


• Make time for husband.


• Make time for self.


• Clean one area of the house. (Floors)


• Take husband to eye doctor.

Zone

• Search for God and find his Joy.


• Find new way to have devotions since schedule changed husband got a car to drive to work, & I don't have to take him.

Menu

• Sunday - favorite local eatery for lunch; baked spaghetti for dinner
• Monday - peppered steak, baked sweet potato, & steamed broccoli
• Tuesday - stuffed turkey burger & Zucchini fries.
• Wednesday Balsamic chicken, orzo & roasted asparagus
• Thursday - Chicken, Cashew, and Red Pepper Stir-Fry
• Friday - Date night with husband
• Saturday - Cookout with friends & family

Fun Things

• Date night


• Cookout

3 Things I'm Thankful for this Week

• Growing communication with husband


• my lovable dog


• great girl friends