Monday (or Sunday) Meanderings... February 6, 2011

Verse of Week...
"Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor" - Proverbs 21:21

Bible Study...
* One Year Bible
* What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob
* In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Husband Encouragement...
* Say "Thank you" often.
* Let stuff go.... don't hold him to the perfectionist standards I am trying to release myself from.
* Watch my tone of voice. Speak softly.
* Get over my independence and need him. Then let him know how I need him.
* Pray for him at least three times daily.
* Make small talk in the morning. ["Good Morning", "Thank you", kiss & hug]
* Make time each evening to give him undivided attention.

Personal Goals...
* Press on with "7 in 2011" plan.
* Enjoy life. Stop and smell the roses. Find at least one thing to look forward to and enjoy at home and at work EACH day.

Work Goals...
* Complete a evaluation.
* Proof & send in program planning sheets for April - August.
* Finish monthly reports.
* Improve communications.

New Habit of the Month...
I give myself permission now to not be perfect this next week. I know I have a lot to accomplish at work and want to take time to connect with family and friends this week, so I have lightened up my goals for "Seven in 2011" for this week.

** "Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"**

M - Vac
Tu - Dust
W - Quick Mop - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Th - Scrub Bathrooms - organize 7 things
F - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail - 1 hour on organizing house
Sa - Change Sheets
Su - Empty all trash cans - rest

MUST Do...
* Mail pictures of birthday to nieces! I have been meaning to do this for three weeks!
* Mail craft to nieces!
* Call out of town girlfriend.
* Video chat with nieces.
* Celebrate Mom's Birthday.
* Pay Bills
* CopperMan's monthly meds

Menu ...
Snack - puppy chow
M - beef stew, corn bread and salad (bake lemon cake for mom)
Tu - Mom's birthday
W - crock pot: Greek Chicken & potatoes, green beans, carrots and whole wheat biscuits
Th - red beans & rice with slaw and corn bread muffins
F - fried egg chicken burger, sweet potato fries and early peas
Sa - Date Night
Su - out & leftovers

FUN THINGS!
* Mom's Birthday
* Bible Study
* Trying out a new gym

Things I'm thankful for today...
1. God's love and provision. How blessed I am to have a savior who is interested in every intricate detail of my life and wants me to come to Him daily with my all.
2. My Love
3. CopperMan
4. Girl-friends
5. Rocu
6. Netflix
7. Video chatting with loved ones far, far away
8. My Piano
9. Gyms to workout in on cold wet days

Monday Meanderings... January 31, 2011

Verse of Week...
"You, LORD, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." - Psalm 86:5

Bible Study...
* One Year Bible
* What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob
* In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Husband Encouragement...
* Say "Thank you" often.
* Let stuff go.... don't hold him to the perfectionist standards I am trying to release myself from.
* Watch my tone of voice. Speak softly.
* Get over my independence and need him. Then let him know how I need him.
* Pray for him at least three times daily.
* Make small talk in the morning. ["Good Morning", "Thank you", kiss & hug]
* Make time each evening to give him undivided attention.

Personal Goals...
* Press on with "7 in 2011" plan. I dropped off toward the end of last week. However, as FLY Lady says, "I am not behind." I plan to just start where the plan puts me this week.
* Enjoy life. Stop and smell the roses. Find at least one thing to look forward to and enjoy at home and at work EACH day.

Work Goals...
* Complete at least one evaluation.
* Write & send in program planning sheets for April - August.
* Finish monthly reports.
* Improve communication.
* Evaluate proposed new schedule and make recommendations.

New Habit of the Month...
I had a hard time with this toward the end of last week and this week anticipate being especially tired when I get home in the evenings. I already know it is going to be a busy and emotionally taxing week at work. So, I plan to really press myself to do the first chore listed each evening, but if my body is hurting at that point, I will not press to do the second one. I give myself permission now to not be perfect this next week.

** "Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"**

M - Vac - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Tu - Dust - find new homes for 7 things or organize 7 things
W - Quick Mop - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Th - Scrub Bathrooms - organize 7 things
F - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail - 7 minutes on one area
Sa - Change Sheets - organize 7 things
Su - Empty all trash cans - rest

MUST Do...
* Mail pictures of birthday to nieces! I have been meaning to do this for two weeks!
* Mail craft to nieces.

Menu
(I anticipate being tired this week. I have a lot of deadlines at work. So, I am planning easy meals.)
M - p. 140 of Weight Watchers Favorites book - Tamale Pie with a side of broccoli
Tu - spinach sauce spaghetti & garlic bread
W - fried egg turkey burgers with sweet potato fries & fruit salad
Th - beef stew & salad
F - Greek chicken & potatoes with green beans and whole wheat biscuits
Sa - pork chops with apple sauce, rice, and brussel sprouts
Su - out & leftovers

FUN THINGS!
* Watching TV to unwind at the end of the day.
* Bible Study starting back.
* Swimming at the Y.

Things I'm thankful for today...
1. God's love and provision. How blessed I am to have a savior who is interested in every intricate detail of my life and wants me to come to Him daily with my all.
2. My Love
3. CopperMan
4. Girl-friends
5. Our new Rocu
6. Netflix
7. YMCA

Monday Meanderings... January 24, 2011

Verse of Week...“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” - James 1:5

Bible Study...
* One Year Bible
* What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob
* In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Husband Encouragement...

* Be authentically thankful for all his help.
*Need him.
* Pray for him three times daily... at least three.
* Try to do one small thing every day to show him he is special to me.
* Make small talk in the morning. ["Good Morning", "Thank you", kiss & hug]
* Make time each evening to give him undivided attention.

Personal Goals...

* Press on with "7 in 2011" plan. Made good progress last two weeks. Saw results. Keep going as soon as my pulled muscle will let me.
* Enjoy life. Stop and smell the roses. Find at least one thing to look forward to and enjoy at home and at work EACH day.

New Habit of the Month...
** "Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"**

M - Vac - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Tu - Dust - find new homes for 7 things or organize 7 things
W - Quick Mop - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Th - Scrub Bathrooms - organize 7 things
F - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail - 7 minutes on one area
Sa - Change Sheets - organize 7 things
Su - Empty all trash cans - rest

MUST Do...
* Mail pictures of birthday to nieces.
* Pay bill.
* Start back at the Y.

Menu (This week all recipes are from 'Weight Watchers Easy Weeknight Favorites'.)

M - p.89 - Mediterranean Chicken skewers, broccoli, & buttered, herb, cheesy pasta
Tu - p. 86 - Mexican Stuffed Chicken, Spanish rice, green beans and corn on the cob
W - p. 100 - Teriyaki beef tips, peas, mashed potatoes, & copper penny carrots
Th - out or take out
F - p. 104 - Szechuan chicken and Vegetables
Sa - p. 140 - Tamale Pie & Salad
Su - leftovers

FUN THINGS!

* Watching Eureka.
* Bible Study starting back.

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. Our new Rocu & Netflix
2. My Love & Copper Man
3. YMCA

Monday Meandering... January 17, 2011

Verse of Week... Philippians 2:14-16

¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Bible Study...
* One Year Bible
* What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob
* In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Husband Encouragement...

* Be authentically thankful for all he does, and be less impatient with him as he tries to take care of me with my pulled muscle.
* Let him lead our home.
*Need him more.
* Pray for him to do well at his job and to love God more.
* Try to do one small thing every day to show him he is special to me.
* Make small talk in the morning. ["Good Morning", "Thank you", kiss & hug]
* Make time each evening to give him undivided attention.

Personal Goals...

* Press on with "7 in 2011" plan. Made good progress last two weeks. Saw results. Keep going as soon as my pulled muscle will let me.
* Enjoy life. Stop and smell the roses. Find at least one thing to look forward to and enjoy at home and at work EACH day.

New Habit of the Month...
** "Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"**

M - Vac - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Tu - Dust - find new homes for 7 things or organize 7 things
W - Quick Mop - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Th - Scrub Bathrooms - organize 7 things
F - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail - 7 minutes on one area
Sa - Change Sheets - organize 7 things
Su - Empty all trash cans - rest

MUST Do...
* Mail pictures of birthday to nieces.
*Give cop flee meds.

Menu (Put Rachael Ray's "Book of 10" on hold for a week. My Love cooking because of pulled muscle in hip.)

M - My Love cooking
Tu - My Love cooking
W - My Love cooking
Th - My Love cooking
F - My Love cooking
Sa - TBA
Su - TBA

FUN THINGS!

* Watching Eureka.
* Monday off for MLK Day

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. Our new Rocu & Netflix
2. My Love & Copper Man
3. Piano

Monday Meanderings... January 10

Verse of Week...
Matthew 6:19-21 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."


Bible Study...
* One Year Bible
* What Makes a Man Feel Loved/ Barnes, Bob
* In the Eye of the Storm/ Lucado, Max

Husband Encouragement...

* Be authentically thankful for all he does.
* Let him lead our home.
* Pray for him.
* Try to do one small thing every day to show him he is special to me.
* Make small talk in the morning. ["Good Morning", "Thank you", kiss & hug]
* Make time each evening to give him undivided attention.
* Make him something chocolate.

Personal Goals...

* Press on with "7 in 2011" plan. Made good progress last week. Saw results. Don't give up because it is hard. Keep going.
* Enjoy life. Stop and smell the roses. Find at least one thing to look forward to and enjoy at home and at work EACH day.

New Habit of the Month...
** "Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"**

M - Vac - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Tu - Dust - find new homes for 7 things or organize 7 things
W - Quick Mop - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area (Birthday: Take this night off.)
Th - Scrub Bathrooms - organize 7 things
F - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail - 7 minutes on one area
Sa - Change Sheets - organize 7 things
Su - Empty all trash cans - rest

MUST Do...
* Mail pictures & cards to nieces.
* grocery shop
* start back at gym

Menu (Start Rachael Ray's "Book of 10")

M - BBQ Sloppy Chicken Pan Pizza (p. 16) & green beans
Tu - Lamb "Stew" with pork chops instead of lamb with peas & whole wheat rolls (p. 17)
W - Birthday/night OFF
Th - Grilled Chicken Caesar with Bacon-Herb-Parmesan "Croutons" (p.18)
F - Smoky Black Bean and Rice Stoup (p. 20) with cornbread and coleslaw
Sa - Mostly Green Curry Veggies and "Chicken" Over Coconut "Brown" Rice (p. 21) with steamed carrots
Su - leftovers

FUN THINGS!

* Watching Eureka.
* Getting back to jogging and swimming.
* Friday off.
* Birthday Wednesday

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. Our new Rocu & Netflix
2. My Love & Copper Man
3. Piano

Monday Meanderings... January 3, 2011

Verse of Week...

Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...."

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
* Try to do one small thing every day to show him he is special to me.
* Make small talk in the morning. ["Good Morning", "Thank you", kiss & hug]
* Make time each evening to give him undivided attention.

Personal Goals...

* Start "7 in 2011" plan. In other words, make an honest effort to stop being a perfectionist.
* Enjoy life. Stop and smell the roses. Find at least one thing to look forward to and enjoy at home and at work EACH day.

New Habit of the Month...
** "Let's Go for Seven in 2011!"**

M - Vac - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Tu - Dust - find new homes for 7 things or organize 7 things
W - Quick Mop - spend 7 mins focused on cleaning one area
Th - Scrub Bathrooms - organize 7 things
F - Purge magazines/catalogs/mail - 7 minutes on one area
Sa - Change Sheets - organize 7 things
Su - Empty all trash cans - rest

MUST Do...* Pay bills* Balance check book

* Clip CopperMan's nails
* Mail pictures & cards to nieces.
* grocery shop

Menu

M - BBQ pork chops, rice, early peas, salad, & biscuits
Tu - Fried-Egg-Topped Turkey Burgers with Kale Salad
W - Red Beans & rice with corn bread and Cole Slaw
Th - Chipotle Bean Burritos, corn on the cob, & tossed salad
F - Mosley's Meats gift card (steaks & fixings)
Sa - chicken kabobs
Su - leftovers

FUN THINGS!

* Watching Eureka.
* Getting back to jobbing and swimming.
* Saturday off.
* Sunday School Party Saturday night

3 things I'm thankful for today...

1. Our new Rocu & Netflix
2. My Love & Copper Man
3. Piano

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