Weigh In Wednesday #4

This is the fourth time I'm participating in Weigh In Wednesday with Kate and Joy from Happy To Be At Home.



Food:
Is anyone else watching the Biggest Loser this season? Last nights show where the black team goes crazy and eats thousands of calories...that was my week. I was sure I would gain this week. I didn't, but it's amazing because I ate like a HORSE!

Water:
I did ok with the water this week. I'm still struggling with the Dr. Pepper though.

Exercise:
I exercised ONE day. Which I guess is better than none, but still not good.

Successes:
I don't think I have any successes this week. I'm shocked that I'm even posting, but I guess accountability requires me to say I blew it.

Challenges:
You name it. I ate too much, drank too much dr pepper, didn't exercise...I really blew it this week.


Plans for next week:
Next week is going to be really busy. The kids are on spring break and I'm taking a week off from my blog to spend the time with them. I'll be back the following week though, ready to do lots better than I did this one.

Weigh-in:
Exactly the same, no more or no less. It's a miracle. I should have gained. Glad I didn't though!!

My Errand Book

Do you have errand days like I do where you have ten pieces of paper to keep track of, coupons for three or four different stores that you plan to use, and a plan or map in your mind of where you need to be when so that you aren't back-tracking all day? If so, then you need an errand book like I use.

I love my little errand book. I picked it up on clearance and it sits on my desk all week long as I make my list of errands, then I can assign each errand a pocket. I add to my shopping lists, add in deals that I want to do with coupons (and add the coupons to the smaller coupon pocket). So when I'm ready to go make my errands, I'm all ready to go, book in hand.

The front of it looks like this.


I put my list of where I need to go in the front so that I can know where to drive next (without backtracking if possible). Have you ever driven all the way across town just to remember that you had planned on stopping in at Target or Kmart to pick up something that was on sale? I've let alot of good deals go that way, to save the drive, but if you remember when your a block away, you might as well stop in.

This is what it looks like when you open it up:

There are eight pockets. So I usually have one each for Walgreens, Dillons, Aldi's, and the bank. I add in Walmart, Target, Kmart, tag agent, library, insurance, or anywhere else I need to go each errand day. Each errand will have it's own page/pocket. There is a large pocket and a small pocket for each page. I put my grocery or deal list in the large pocket and then put my coupons to use in that store in the smaller pocket. I also have my regular coupon binder in the car, in case I find something on sale that I hadn't planned on. But I've found planning my coupons beforehand saves me ALOT of time. Organizing them this way saves me alot of stress. I feel more organized, and while I may APPEAR to be organized to alot of people. I'm NOT. I'm constantly struggling to find ways to keep me more organized because I'm not organized naturally. It takes effort for me to keep things in line.

And my errand book...that's what works for me.

What works for you?

To see what's working for others in Bloggieworld, visit We Are THAT Family for more Works For Me Wednesday.

Wordless Wednesday 3/11

For more Wordless Wednesday, go visit 5 Minutes for Mom

Tackling a Really Big Project

Over the weekend I started a really big project. I didn't expect to get it finished by Tuesday, but I thought I would take the opportunity, even though I'm NOT finished with the tackle to talk about how to handle these types of larger projects that might take a week, two, or even a month to finish.

This is what I'm talking about.




As you can see, I have several large boxes of pictures and memorable items, from both my children, my family, high school and my husband's childhood, children, other family pictures etc. This isn't something I'm going to finish in a day. Probably even if I take all day to work on it. And who has a whole day for a pet project anyway? Not me. But I've put it off long enough, time to work on it with the time that I DO have.

To start I emptied the boxes onto my dining room table, to pair like with like. I can compartmentalize these further to work on a bit at a time as well.







Then, I chose to start with the smallest pile and work on that to completion. This gives me the satisfaction of finishing part of the project and the steam to keep going on the rest of the piles.



I'm able to pack each of these piles up at the end of my allotted time now that I've paired them together, and can get out one box at a time to work on each day.


Here is the first assembled item from this project. It's a photo with several pictures of my father while he was in Vietnam. You can also see two of his medals at the bottom of the arrangement. I used a camoflage shirt that my sons had outgrown as background fabric. I think it looks pretty nice.




Some time this week and coming weeks, I'll either have more finished pictures for you, or I'll report my progress and hopefully have an end in sight!

To see projects that others are "tackling" this week, please go visit 5 Minutes for Mom
for more Tackle It Tuesday

Watching From the Backseat

I have six children, three from my first marriage, two lovely step daughters and one more blessing, Abby, that Jason and I share together. I love all my children. The love is equal but different, as each of their personalities are different and unique.

While each child is loved the same amount, it is Dillon who I have loved the longest. He was MY first. On each other child I didn't experience each first as a parent. My first diaper change, my first fever in a child, my first day of taking a child to school, and all those other many firsts that I was learning just as much as he was. Hopefully his siblings have benefitted from my "learning" and while I have made my share of mistakes, I'm hoping that the love and desire to do well, has overshadowed any missteps along the way.

He is my first teenager too. This brings a whole new dimension to parenting. There is a very tricky balancing act, allowing him to grow up when he believes he is already grown, but I know there is still a long way to go. There is the learning to let go, as I can't grow up FOR him, and he has to make his own mistakes, even though it's as painful for me to watch them being made as the parent as for him as he's making them.

The process is ironic, because at the same time he is learning to drive, he is also taking the wheel in his own life. I have two choices in this process. I can either cringe with each mile and hold my breath waiting for us to hit the ditch, worrying and stressing out. Or, I can take peace with what I've taught him about good driving so far, guide him as needed but take a deep breath and trust him (and God) with the steering wheel. Either way, he's going to get where he needs to go, I just want the trip to be one that we can both remember as a good one.

To read about other things people are grateful for, head to Heavenly Homemakers for more GratiTuesday.

The Simple Woman's Journal 3/9

For Today...March 9, 2009

Outside my window...Still dark at almost 7:30...dang time change. Still very cold too.

I am thinking...of my todo list for today. I've got some things started, still have alot to do and go to town today as well.

I am thankful for...my wonderful family and all my many blessings

From the kitchen...Breakfast dishes to be done

I am wearing...old navy tshirt and capri jeans

I am reading...I've been catching up on magazines. I ordered some for free and haven't been reading them, so I'm getting one a night. The next book I want to read (might get it today at the library) is 5000 Year Leap.

I am hoping...to hear good news about that job this week

I am creating...many things this week. Photo project is being put together this week, an alien birthday cake for my father in law and alot of spring cleaning and decorating is to be done...that is if I get it all accomplished!

I am hearing...Franklin (Abby's tv show)

Around the house...laundry to be done, dishes to do, groceries to buy, photos to arrange, cleaning to be done...pheww, I'm tired already!

One of my favorite things...Snuggling up with Abby watching a show, reading a book, or any reason at all.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I have a busy week. You can see my entire to-do list here.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...Riding in the back seat, going down the highway on a trip home from Oklahoma, I snapped this picture of two of my daughters, Shelby and Abigail. I love the expression on Abby's face!


For more Simple Woman's Journals please visit my friend Peggy at Simple Woman's Daybook

Spring Cleaning Week #2

Didn't you absolutely LOVE the weather last week? I TOLD you, if you clean it, spring will come! I guess that means I better keep it up, so that this good weather will stick around a little more.

This week I'm in my kitchen.

I've divided my small kitchen into five areas, so that I can tackle one area per day, hopefully.


Clean Fridge Inside/Out/Top/Underneath & coils
I think that's pretty self explanatory

North wall cabinets, counters inside & out
This consists of the stove, and cabinets above, the sink and cabinets below and one set of upper and lower cabinets, and counter top. Also are two shelving units (the little bookshelf type). One houses our toaster and coffeemaker and the breads and drink assortments that go with them. The other holds plastic cups and easy access items for height challenged youngsters.

East wall cabinets, counters inside & out
Countertop with drawers and cabinets underneath (houses plastic storage and pitchers, etc). Also this wall contains a shelf that holds my staple supplies, breadmaker, some cookbooks and large items like electric skillet, crock pot, etc.

Pantry
Self explanatory

floors, windows & decorative touches
I'd like to bring a little spring inside. Not sure yet how I'll do that. Maybe I can scour the resale shops this week for some spring patterned items?

Well, I'm ready to get started in the morning. Wish me luck! With this project, the photo project that's all over my dining room table and my to-do list I have scheduled for my garden, this is going to be an awfully busy week.

Oh, and my mother in law called and asked me to bake an alien cake for my father in law. I'm tickled to do it, but hope I can figure out how to make an alien. I'll remember to get pictures this time. I forgot with Evelyn's cake until it was too late.

To see how others are making their own homes sing this week, head over to MomsTheWord. She has a terrific post this week about hospitality.